Photo by Jose Raphael Gonzales/ THE FLAMETHE UST Growling Tigers suffered their second consecutive defeat after tripping to the unbeaten UP Fighting Maroons, 81-70, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Even without their team captain JD Cagulangan, the Fighting Maroons pulled away late in the final quarter to shut down the feisty Tigers’ early scare and maintain an unblemished 6-0 record.
The España-based squad started strong behind import center Mo Tounkara and captain Nic Cabañero pushing the pace early, 9-2.
UP tried to close the gap with guard Gerry Abadiano taking a swing, but UST held its ground as guard Kyle Paranada hit a step-back triple at the end of the first frame to secure a 23-16 lead.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez kicked off the second salvo with a jumper and a runaway dunk to cut the Diliman-based squad’s deficit to four, 25-21.
The fight remained close as the two teams traded hits during the remaining minutes of the second quarter. UP guard Terrence Fortea dropped a floater to trim the lead into a one possession game at halftime, 42-40.
The momentum shifted early in the third chapter as the Fighting Maroons launched an 8-0 run topped off by a reverse dunk from Lopez to steal the lead, 48-42.
However, the Tigers quickly retaliated with a 7-0 blitz with Padrigao nailing a three-pointer to reclaim the lead for his team, 49-48.
The game remained tight until UP came alive at the right time to seize a 68-63 advantage before the fourth frame.
Last season’s finalists took last season’s bottom-dwellers to school after guard Harold Alarcon hit two consecutive pull-up jumpers to widen their lead in the closing minutes, 78-65.
Padrigao drained a triple at the top of the key but the Fighting Maroons were just too much to overcome.
Despite a minor ankle injury, Tounkara led UST with 21 points and five rebounds. Cabanero contributed 15 markers, three rebounds and three dimes, while Padrigao added 14 points, seven assists, and six boards.
Four UP players scored in double-digits, with Alarcon leading the way with 16 points, three assists and three rebounds. Lopez chalked up 15 points and six rebounds, while Fortea and Abadiano dropped 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Growling Tigers will seek to end their two-game skid and to finish the first round on a winning note when they face the FEU Tamarraws on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena. F – Brent Richmond Angelo Sagre and Mc Neil Zyh Serrano
