Teng fires 22 points in Growling Tigers’ triumph over UAAP tormentors
Not this time.
University of Santo Tomas makes good of their first-ever Philippine Collegiate Champions League finals appearance by torching UAAP nemesis Ateneo de Manila University in the series clincher on Friday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Fueled by Jeric Teng’s 13 points in the 4th quarter, where he shot a near-perfect 5-for-6 from the field, the Growling Tigers hacked out a hard-fought 81-76 victory over the Blue Eagles to get their first taste of the PCCL crown since the tournament’s institution in 2002.
The former Xavier Stallion totalled for 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting, as he claimed the Most Valuable Player honors for the tournament. Following him was former UST Tiger Cub Kevin Ferrer with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, and graduating team captain Jeric Fortuna with 11 points.
“It’s about time na i-prove kung anong worth ng team natin,” said coach Pido Jarencio to his boys before the game’s opening tip.
In a nip-and-tuck battle through the first 30 minutes, Santo Tomas broke through in the first four minutes of the final canto with a stifling 10-4 run that broke the game wide open and propelling the Espana-based institution’s final push.
Ateneo still had one last gasp in the final two minutes with a 9-0 run spearheaded by Ryan Buenafe’s seven-point tear, but they uncharacteristically allowed UST to convert on a third-chance scoring opportunity on Ferrer’s putback that decided the final scoreline.
The Blue Eagles were simply outhustled on the offensive glass (20-9) and allowed too many second-chance opportunities (21-2) by the Growling Tigers which included Ferrer’s series clinching play.
“Tinanghal kaming number one collegiate team, (na-isahan namin ang) over 200 schools na kasali,” noted Jarencio.
Kiefer Ravena and Ryan Buenafe both totaled for 20 points apiece, while exiting big man Greg Slaughter added 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
This loss by Ateneo is the second time that they were defeated by their opponent in either the Final Four or the Finals of the UAAP, with the previous against De La Salle University in a one-game showdown under the previous format.
BOX SCORES
SANTO TOMAS (81): Teng 22, Ferrer 21, Fortuna 11, Abdul 8, Bautista 7, Daquioag 6, Afuang 4, Mariano 2, Hainga 0, Pe 0, Lo 0
ATENEO (76): Ravena 20, Buenafe 20, Slaughter 11, Salva 9, Elorde 7, Tiongson 5, Sumalinog 3, Chua 1, Golla 0, Gonzaga 0
QUARTERS: 19-19, 45-39, 60-57, 81-76
