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| Clark Derige led the campaign for UE as he tallied 26 points and six rebounds. Dugout Philippines |
By John Paul Marquez
QUEZON CITY--In a shocker, University of the East was just too strong
for the currently second seeded University of Santo Tomas, 91-77, in a UAAP game Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Clark Derige led the campaign for UE as he tallied 26 points and six rebounds.
There was a bit of confusion after the
tip-off as a player of UE shot at the hoop of UST. However, the referees still
credited that basket to UE instead from the opposing side. UE head coach Derrick
Pumaren complained that the ball should have been awarded to them but refs still
gave the possession to the Tigers.
UE, displaying guts, showed that they are still final four contemders as they took an early lead, 7-2 capped off by a getaway layup from Derige, the first quarter was owned by UE, as they ended the
quarter, 20-15.
Off the bench, Kent Lao delivered for the Tigers with back-to-back threes to get the lead for the España cagers at
23-22.
Derige restored order for the Warriors by scoring back-to-back buckets to put UE back into the drivers' seat, 32-29.
Derige restored order for the Warriors by scoring back-to-back buckets to put UE back into the drivers' seat, 32-29.
Before the end of the first half, UST’s
Karim Abdul scored seven straight points for the Tigers, which was answered by Edson Batiller's five straight points enabling UE to head to the dugout carrying a
one-point lead, 39-38.
Chris Javier started the second half with a
basket underneath and a jumpshot to extend UE's lead, 43-38.
UE still had the lead at the end of third
courtesy of a run led by Edgar Charcos, 62-52.
UST cut the lead at 62-67 in the early stages of the fourth. but Philip Manalang answered with a left corner three.
With 2:45 left in the final quarter, Kevin Ferrer sank a three, which proved to be UST last hurrah as Clark Derige buried a booming three of his own to take the game away from the hands of the second seeded Tigers.
With 2:45 left in the final quarter, Kevin Ferrer sank a three, which proved to be UST last hurrah as Clark Derige buried a booming three of his own to take the game away from the hands of the second seeded Tigers.
UE coach Derrick Pumaren told the media afterwards, "We just played with the sense of urgency, knowing that we still have the chance to make it the Final Four.”
Chris Javier and
Nick Abanto both contributed for 13 and 10 respectively for UE, while Karim
Abdul led the Tigers with 25 points.
UE improved their
record to 4-7, ending their two-game skid, and gave themselves a chance to make it
to the final four, while UST tasted their 3rd defeat for a record
of 9-3, still good for the solo second spot in the standings.
Box Scores:
UE 91-Derige 26, Javier 13, Abanto 10, P. Varilla 10, Batiller 9, Charcos 8,
Manalang 6, Palma 4, Gagate 2, J. Varilla 2, Sta. Ana 1
UST 77-Abdul 25, Daquioag 11, Ferrer 10, Vigil 9, Lee 9,
Lao 6, Sheriff 4, Bonleon 2, Subido 1
Quarterscores: 15-20, 30-39, 52-62, 77-91
Follow the writer on Twitter: @DugoutPH
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