by SHAYNE LEE MACARAEG
The UST Growling Tigers are now on a four-game losing streak as they are outgunned by the UE Red Warriors, 78-68, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball eliminations at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, Oct. 16.
UE defeated UST for the first time since UAAP season 80 dating back to October 7, 2017.
Things got physical at the 2:01 minute mark of the third quarter, causing Tigers’ big man Adama Faye to be thrown out of the game due to a disqualifying foul on Red Warriors’ Harvey Pagsanjan.
It was anyone’s game in the first half that featured fast-paced action from both teams, as UST’s Nic Cabanero finished through contact with 38.3 left to take the first-half lead, 29-28.
But UE managed to convert five triples in the third quarter, led by its team captain Jojo Antiporda who had three trifectas and scored all 13 points in the same quarter. The Recto-based cagers took the lead over the Tigers, 55-49.
Faye was a big loss for UST as UE took charge of the size advantage with Luis Villegas posting 17 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and a three-point dagger at the 1:33 mark to ice the game. Nick Paranada had 17 points, and Gani Stevens had 11 points for UE.
For UST, Cabanero had a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds, Ivan Lazarte had 12 points in 10 minutes, and Faye scored 12 points.
The Espana-based dribblers have the second-worst record in the league, 1-4. UE is standing on a 3-2 record coming off back-to-back wins, the first time since UAAP Season 82. F
