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| Mark Llemit led UST's charge against winless yet gritty UE. Peter Baltazar |
PASAY—University of Santo Tomas weathered University of the East’s late charge 98-87 for its second straight win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Ahead by just five points after the opening quarter, UST turned on the jets in the second, outscoring UE, 28-14, to establish a 52-33 lead at halftime.
However, the Red Warriors refused to fold, pulling within six at the 6:06 mark of the fourth quarter after back-to-back layups by Cole Cruz-Dumont made it 83-77.
That, however, would be the closest UE could get.
Landyn Jumawan, Mark Llemit, and Collins Akowe provided the answers for UST as the Growling Tigers kept the Red Warriors at bay down the stretch.
“Marunong din naman mag-basketball ‘yung kalaban eh. 0-3, new coach, pero siyempre ‘yung mga players gusto rin magpasikat niyan para sa bago nilang coach. Nung second half, nakuha nila ‘yung momentum pero kami at least steady; in the end, we got the win. As long as we get that W, one, two, three points, basta manalo OK lang,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio.
The Growling Tigers joined a crowded leaderboard alongside the idle National University Bulldogs, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, and Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, all at 2-1.
Llemit spearheaded UST with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, while Amiel Acido backed him with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Akowe, despite going scoreless from the field in the first half, still finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks, while Jumawan added 13 points, including three triples.
Koji Buenaflor, fresh from his Asian Games stint with Gilas 3x3, chipped in eight points in 15 minutes of action.
UST will seek its third straight victory on Saturday when it squares off against Adamson University at 3 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Growling Tigers lost twice to the Falcons last season.
The Red Warriors, meanwhile, slipped to 0-4 this season and absorbed their 24th straight loss dating back to Season 87.
Tope Lagat led UE with 22 points, while Mo Tañedo added 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Cruz-Dumont contributed 12 points, while Gene Carillo stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three blocks.
UE will continue its pursuit of its elusive first win on Sunday against De La Salle University at the Philsports Arena.
The Scores:
UST (98) – Llemit 22, Acido 16, Akowe 14, Junawan 13, Buenaflor 8, Chio 6, Cañete 5, Danting 4, Esteban 3, Manding 3, Porter 2, Bucsit 2, Alao 0, J. Sevilla 0.
UE (87) – Lagat 22, Tañedo 16, Cruz-Dumont 12, Carillo 10, Robles 7, Edoukou 4, Santos 4, Jimenez 4, Sabroso 3, Vazquez 3, Mascarinas 2, Dungca 0.
Quarters: 19, 52-33, 75-61, 98-87.
