THE University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs got big baskets from CJ Cansino and a crucial defensive stop from Rayjhun Baquial as they beat the Adamson Baby Falcons, 73-72, in overtime yesterday at the Blue Eagle gym in Quezon City.
Their heroics during their fourth seed playoff encounter handed the Tigers the fourth seeding in the stepladder semifinals of the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines junior basketball tournament.
The 18-year-old Cansino proved why he deserves to be an MVP awardee after he shot 8 of his 24-point output in the extra five minutes.
His driving shot past Adam Doria in the last 1:13 allowed the Tiger Cubs to take a five-point cushion in the remaining time, 73-68.
Adamson refused to give up and remained close off baskets from Joem Sabandal’s putback and Didat Hanapi’s inside attack, 72-73.
Baquial, who had seven points, then missed two charity attempts in the last 8.6 seconds for the Tiger Cubs, and they could have stayed out of trouble afterwards.
The Baby Falcons tried to score a final basket off Andrey Doria, who could not find an opening at the right corner.
Hanapi then made a penetration with Baquial blocking his view. But his basket was not counted when it found its mark after time ran out on him.
“Kumbaga sa karayom, dumaan ang paa nila sa butas ng karayom. They made it past the first step. The boys deserve this win,” said UST coach Christopher Cantonjos.
The Tiger Cubs, who drew 15 points from Kobe Palencia, will next meet the defending champion Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws at the start of the stepladder semis on Saturday.
John Lina shot 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Tiger Cubs, who are back in the Final Four after five seasons.
Sabandal showed the way for the Baby Falcons with 20 points, with his two freebies off Liam Manabat’s fifth foul in the remaining 13.7 seconds trying the match, 63-all in regulation.
Cansino could have won it for UST in regulation, but his triple missed as time expired.
Last year, the Tiger Cubs lost to the Junior Archers, 65-72, in a fourth seed playoff.
The scores:
UST 73—Cansino 24, Palencia 15, , Lina 12, Baquial 7, Manabat 6, Villapando 3, Benzonan 2, Estrella 2, Narvasa 2, Anunciacion 0, de la Cruz 0, Dolendo 0, Relucio 0.
Adamson 72—Sabandal 20, Doria 16, Adam Doria 11, Hanapi 11, Santos 9, Manlapaz 7, Baculio 0, Canoy 0, Prodigo 0.
Quarterscores: 16-23, 32-23, 47-44, 63-all, 73-72.
