In the game, the Red Warriors had four players score in double-digits, led by Clark Derige’s career-high of 26 markers. Moreover, the dreaded Pumaren-press was in full effect in the game as it forced UST to 24 turnovers leading to 22 turnover points. Known to be a running team, the Growling Tigers were also limited to just nine fast break points in the game.
“Flat kami e. Hindi kami makatakbo. Nangyayari siguro talaga yun kasi ayos naman yung practice namin,” UST head coach Bong Dela Cruz reflected about the game. Dela Cruz added that UE’s execution of their gameplan was perfect all throughout the game in saying, “prepared talaga kami for this game. Maganda lang talaga nilaro ng UE.”
The UST Growling Tigers were able to cut a ten-point lead, 62-52 entering the final quarter, to a 73-71 lead with 2:43 remaining. However, turnovers killed all momentum the Espana cagers had gained. “Madami pa kaming turnover mas lalo nung crucial na. Down two kami tapos nagerror pa. Maganda talaga nilaro ng UE,” he said.
The defense employed by UE also limited top scorers Ed Daquioag and Kevin Ferrer to just 11 and ten points respectively. Daquioag was just 4/17 from the field while Ferrer was only limited to just nine shot attempts the entire game. “Yung trapping nila. Sobrang ganda talaga ng full court nila, hindi kami makagalaw,” he said about the impressive defense displayed by the Red Warriors in the game. “Nag-ensayo kami ng press break pero hindi namin maipasa ng maigi.”
With the Ateneo Blue Eagles creeping in for the second twice-to-beat spot, Dela Cruz said that he and his team are not worried about the other teams. “Ang concern lang namin is yung team namin. Basta may gameplan kami na kelangan i-execute and next game kelangan bumawi,” the UST mentor closed.
