University of Santo Tomas claimed its second straight win at the expense of Adamson University, 79-72, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
In a defense-filled fourth quarter, Joshua Fontanilla delivered the daggers for the Growling Tigers.
Ahead by just two, Fontanilla first drove to the basket and finished with a smooth reverse layup with 56.9 seconds left, 74-70.
In the ensuing play, Joshua Yerro missed for the Soaring Falcons before Fontanilla buried a three-pointer from the left wing to put UST up by seven with just 19.3 ticks to go, 77-70.
Paul Manalang was a sharpshooter with five triples to end with 15 points, five assists, and three rebounds for the Tigers.
Fontanilla added 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Bryan Santos got nine points and eight rebounds.
“Hindi na bata tong mga to, mga beterano mga to,” said UST coach Jinino Manansala as Fontanilla is a transferee from St. Clare while Santos previously suited up for Technological Institute of the Philippines. “Sabi ko sundan niyo yung gameplan. Masisispag ang mga to. Expect more from the UST Growling Tigers.”
UST hiked its record to 2-2, tied for fourth with National University while pulling Adamson down to 1-3 for joint sixth with Far Eastern University.
Jerom Lastimosa flirted with a triple-double, dropping 16 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for the Falcons. Lenda Douanga also made 16 points and seven boards.
UST will open Tuesday’s quadruple-header against De La Salle University at 10 am, followed by AdU’s clash with the University of the Philippines at 1 pm.
The Scores:
UST 79 – Manalang 15, Fontanilla 10, Santos 9, Cabañero 8, Concepcion 7, Herrera 6, Ando 6, Manaytay 5, Mantua 5, Yongco 3, Gomez de Liaño 3, Pangilinan 2, Samudio 0, Canoy 0.
AdU 72 – Lastimosa 16, Douanga 16, Magbuhos 8, Peromingan 7, Zaldivar 6, Sabandal 5, Yerro 4, Colonia 3, Hanapi 3, Manzano 2, Maata 2, Jaymalin 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 45-41, 64-58, 79-72.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines survived University of the East’s late rally, 81-66, for its third straight win.
The Fighting Maroons cruised to a 17-point advantage in the first quarter, before stretching the advantage to as high as 30 points in the third, 65-35.
The Red Warriors though opened the fourth period on a 17-2 blast, led by Kyle Paranada’s hot shooting from deep, to chop their deficit to just 11 with 5:42 left, 62-73.
But UP clamped down on defense down the stretch while Malick Diouf and Zav Lucero drained the daggers.
“Kung titignan mo yung first game, we moved the ball better today,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde. “As a team, nag-i-improve kami and we just have to be consistent.”
The Maroons picked up their third win in four outings for solo third, while the Red Warriors stayed winless in four games.