File photo by Kristine Barreiro
University of Santo Tomas played keep-away during the final minute of play to pulled off a 61-59 stunner over cellar-dwelling Adamson University to open up the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 77 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
With star center and top rebounder Karim Abdul still under the weather after being discharged from the hospital a day earlier, the shorthanded Growling Tigers (4-4) resorted to using forwards Kevin Ferrer and Aljon Mariano to fill the void left by the Cameroonian slotman.
Mariano, who has been struggling to find form all season long due to the after effects of ankle surgery, proved to be effective on the rebounding end by pulling down three of the last five offensive boards of UST in the last minute to protect a precarious one-point lead.
Forward Louie Vigil scored the last field goal for either team at the 1:51 mark to give UST the 60-59 lead that put them ahead for good.
On the other end, Adamson U missed their last three shots at the basket, including William Polican’s desperation jumper from the right corner with two seconds left, after Jansen Rios’ layup that gave them their last crack at the lead with 5:04 left, 59-58. They only made 3-of-13 from the field in the last quarter.
Vigil led the Tigers’ cause with 13 points and eight rebounds, followed by Eduardo Daquioag’s 11 points. Abdul – the team’s leading rebounder with 8.5 caroms per contest – made a cameo appearance early in the third quarter, scoring two points on two free throws in four minutes on the floor.
The win by the España-based institution pushed their record to 4-4, ending their three-game losing streak that ended their first round assignments.
“Concerned ako [sa nilalaro nila]. Nireremind namin ‘yung mga bata. Every day, every game we’ve been practicing the same skills [especially] ‘yung three-point shooting. Kaya lang, pag dating ng game, hindi pumapasok ‘yung tira,” lamented UST head coach Bong De La Cruz of their recent struggles.
Meanwhile, acting Adamson University head coach Vince Hizon – taking over for Kenneth Duremdes, who had to leave the country due to personal matters – was told that his squad needed scorers outside veteran snipers Don Trollano and Jansen Rios to take up the scoring slack in which Axel Iñigo took up the challenge.
“It was either going to be [Jansen] Rios or [Don] Trollano [who leads in scoring], and then now we have them both going. But we’re trying to get a third scorer, and tonight [Axel] Iñigo responded pretty well. It takes five guys to win a game. At least we’re getting three,” said the Falcons’ lead assistant coach.
“We could have easily won our games against UST. These are two wins that our guys are saying congratulations to UST, but we know deep in our hearts it should have been a different result.”
Axel Iñigo poured 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists to support veterans Jansen Rios and Don Trollano, who each pooled 22 and 16 markers, respectively.
