It took 328 days, but it was all worth it
Behind another heater by Alvin Pasaol, the University of the East Red Warriors barged into the win column, continuing the struggles of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers with a 96-91 triumph, Saturday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“The boys really play hard,” said fourth-year UE head coach Derrick Pumaren. “I told them during our first five games, we did not play as a team. That’s not the same team I see in practice. The effort we had against La Salle was really awesome and it carried over today.”
The same could not be said for second-year head coach Boy Sablan and the Growling Tigers, as UST have yet to pick up a win since October 15, 2016. The Growling Tigers had been able to eke out a 73-69 win against the NU Bulldogs during that day. Sablan’s UAAP record falls to 3-18.
Alvin Pasaol towed the Red Warriors to the win column. The burly, second-year forward followed up his 49-point outing last Wednesday against the DLSU Green Archers, and finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
His final basket proved to be the nail in the coffin.
With the Growling Tigers cutting the lead to just a solitary point, UST had a chance for a come-from-behind win as Marvin Lee found himself wide-open for a corner triple. But 6-foot-1 forward Mark Olayon had other ideas, soaring through the air for a block.
“We played hard and they knew that it was not going to be easy. We did not fold, we were able to handle the comeback of UST and I am proud of them with the way they played,” added Pumaren
Running on adrenaline, Olayon tried to score on the break but missed a sorry lay-up. Fortunately for him, Pasaol was trailing behind, scoring on a put-back with 22.7 seconds left.
Marvin Lee then turned the ball over in the next possession, before Philip Manalang sealed the game with two free throws.
UE floor general Manalang added 20 points and seven assists, while Olayon finished with 15 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Jason Varilla provided the spark off the bench with 15 points, spiked by two triples.
Pasaol also had a strong start to the contest, scoring 14 points in the second frame, helping UE erect a game-high 15 point lead, 52-37 with 2:27 left in the first half.
Besides Pasaol, turnovers plagued UST once more, as they committed 25 that led to 33 UE points.
Lee led UST’s third quarter comeback attempt, scoring nine of his 20 points. Steve Akomo finished with 19 points and 18 rebounds, while Jordan Sta. Ana and Jeepy Faundo chipped in 13 and 12 points respectively.
However, UST shot a horrid 17-for-38 from the foul stripe.
This is the first time the Growling Tigers have ended a round winless.
The Scores:
UE 96 – Pasaol 32, Manalang 20, Olayon 15, Varilla 15, Bartolome 5, Acuno 4, Abanto 2, Conner 2, Maloles 1, Derige 0, Cullar 0
UST 91 – Lee 20, Akomo 19, Sta. Ana 13, Faundo 12, Caunan 10, De Guzman 4, Lorenzana 3, Soriano 2, Romero 2, Huang 2, Garcia 2, Escalambre 2, Macasaet 0, Kwawukumey 0
Quarterscores: 27-20, 54-43, 75-71, 96-91
