UST deals AdMU’s first Filoil Flying V Pre-Season loss, Adamson edges FEU, La Salle thumps SWU
UST forward Aljon Mariano posts up Ateneo forward Vince Tolentino in the second half of their 2013 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season encounter on Saturday. (FCF / Vyn Radovan)
This time, the Growling Tigers played as a team.
Aljon Mariano played splendidly on the clutch and Jeric Teng cleverly dished the ball to Kevin Ferrer for an uncontested three-pointer as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers escaped the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the last minute, 63-57, in Saturday’s 2013 Filoil Flying V Hanes Pre-Season Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
Mariano, who last scored 28 for UST in a two-man effort with Jeric Teng in the summer league’s opener, sank six straight points in the final two minutes, including the go-ahead floater off the misses of the Blue Eagles. He led the Tigers with 19 points while Karim Abdul and Ferrer added 14 and 13, respectively
The Growling Tigers steadily upped its perimeter game and offensive rebounding in the second half despite shooting a paltry 23 points in the first half. The Tigers ended the game shooting 42 per cent from the field.
It proved to be crucial despite the sizzling performance of rookie Chris Newsome, who entertained the crowd with two rim rattlers, and erstwhile benchwarmer Von Pessumal, who wowed the audience with shots against defensive specialist Ferrer. Pessumal led the Eagles with 15 points while Newsome tallied 14.
With the win, the UST avenged its opening game against La Salle last Saturday for a 1-1 card. The Eagles dropped its first match after winning their first three.
In the first game, the Adamson Soaring Falcons won its first game by escaping the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 68-67, through Don Trollano’s clutch free throws in the dying seconds of the game.
FEU busted its winning chance when junior Terrence Romeo muffed a jumper with five seconds left, losing its opening game in the tournament and the first game of new head coach Nash Racela for a UAAP team.
African import Ingrid Sewa lorded the shaded lane for the Falcons with 12 points and 8 rebounds while Romeo fired 21 points for the Tams.
In the second game, the De La Salle won its second straight game with a 98-61 manhandling of the still winless Southwestern University Cobras.
Almond Vosotros fired 17 points and 5 assists, while Norbert Torres held his own against the towering big men of the Cobras with 16 points.
Meanwhile, Centro Escolar University banked on a 16-6 fourth quarter to down Ateneo de Manila University, 60-46, in the lone women’s match of the day.
