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| Karim Abdul saved the day for the Tigers after he calmly sank two free throws before roaring towards the bench, 62-57. Dennis Jerome Acosta/Dugout Philippines |
By Jason Espiritu
PASAY--In a cold and rainy day, revenge was served hot for the Growling Tigers.
UST survived a late-game meltdown to squeak past defending champion National University, 65-57, in the UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday evening.
The Tigers, who had their lone loss against NU in the first round, moved to 8-1 and grabbed a share of the top spot with Far Eastern University.
They are the first team to defeat all the other squads in the league this season.
The Bulldogs banked on a 15-3 rally to start the fourth quarter that gave them their second lead of the game, 55-54.
But Louie Vigil and Ed Daquioag provrd to be forces to reckon with for NU.
The duo scored UST's next six points in the ensuing play to turn the tables in favor of them, 60-57, with a minute left in regulation.
Gelo Alolino and Paolo Javelona tried to shoot from beyond-the-arc but missed, leading to Abdul's eight rebound which forced the Bulldogs to foul the UST center.
The Cameroonian saved the day for the Tigers after he calmly sank two free throws before roaring towards the bench, 62-57.
In the first quarter, NU was shooting hot and forced a number of UST's turnovers for an early 11-4 advantage.
But the Bulldogs never expected a big Tigers' rally coming.
UST went on a 16-3 explosion in the final five minutes of the quarter to snatch the lead, 20-14 .
In the second frame, the España cagers likewise ignited a 10-3 run off a three-point barrage from Kevin Ferrer, Kent Lao and Marvin Lee to end the first half with a 12-point edge, 35-23.
Ferrer and Abdul racked up 13 apiece, while Ed Daquioag addrd 10 points including two crucial baskets in the payoff period.
Gelo Alolino and Alfred Aroga led NU with 20 and 14 markers, respectively, which dropped to 3-6 this season.
Scores:
UST 65-Abdul 13, Ferrer 13, Daquioag 10, Bonleon 8, Vigil 8, Lao 7, Lee 6, Faundo 0, Sheriff 0, Subido 0
NU 57-Alolino 20, Aroga 14, Alejandro 7, Javelona 6, Diputado 4, Celda 2, Tansingco 2, Abatayo 0, Javillonar 0, Morido 0, Neypes 0
Quarter scores: 20-14, 35-23, 51-40, 65-57
Follow the writer on Twitter: @EST42890
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