ROOKIE CJ Cansino put on a dazzling display of shooting accuracy and the University of the Santo Tomas Growling Tigers went on to pull off an 86-72 beating of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Cansino, last year’s junior division season MVP, shot flawlessly in the first half, converting from all angles, and from the free throw line as well.
And Cansino’s big game and his 100 percent accuracy, carried the Growling Tigers to their second consecutive triumph yesterday in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
Meanwhile, Adrian Wong bungled a three-pointer at the buzzer, allowing the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to escape with a 63-60 triumph over the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The Tams, who moved out of range after Richard Escoto’s drive off Hubert Cani’s assist in the last 29 seconds, 63-58, moved to a share of second place with the Blue Eagles with their 5-2 slate.
Cani showed the way for the Tams with 12 points, while Jasper Parker and Axel Inigo added nine.
Angelo Kouame made 16 points and 12 boards for Ateneo. His jumper in the final 21 seconds kept the Blue Eagles close, 60-63.
Henri Subido shot 13 points for the Growling Tigers, who improved to fourth with 3-4 win-loss record.
The 6’2” Cansino’s perfect game in the early part of the game, though did not last till the second half, as he went to play his 29.5 minute stint. He shot with an 85 percent accuracy and hauled down 10 rebounds after shifting to a more defensive role in the second half.
With Cansino helping Zach Huang control the boards and with UP big man Akhuetie Bright’s imposing presence, the Tigers managed to limit the Fighting Maroons to just 17 points in the third period.
And this was enough for UST to post their biggest advantage after Cansino’s basket, a 30-point lead, 71-41, with 3:08 left.
“Ginagawa ko lang iyung role ko at iyung best ko. Sabi ni coach, maliliit kami. Kailangan kong tumulong sa rebounds as a small man,” said Cansino, who defended the boards with Huang. Huang made nine points and had 13 rebounds.
The Growling Tigers played without Cameroonian big man Steve Akomo who is recovering from a concussion.
Akomo has been sitting out games after he collided with Papi Sarr during UST’s game with Adamson.
The Growling Tigers got off to a hot start, with an 8-0 run which Cansino started with his basket. They posted a 12-2 edge in the last 2:18 of the first after Cansino hit a layup off Enrique Caunan’s pass.
Subido’s two of three triples with 3:25 remaining widened their edge, 23-8.
“Everybody came out to play today. Almost all of the players played well. They executed the game plan and they were more relaxed. They’re playing basketball. They’re having fun and they’re playing as a team,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo.
Bright had 18 points and 11 rebounds for UP, which now shares fourth with UST.
The 6’8” Bright was shackled to four points in the third as UST enjoyed a 30-point edge, 76-46. Javi Gomez de Liano tallied 12 points and was scoreless in the third.
Games Saturday (at the MOA Arena)
2 p.m. UE vs NU
4 p.m. Adamson vs La Salle
