THE UST Growling Tigers halted their two-game skid after overpowering the FEU Tamaraws, 83-72, to conclude the first round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball at the Mall Of Asia Arena on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Entering the one-week break, UST improved to a 4-3 win-loss slate. Meanwhile, FEU absorbed another loss to slip to the bottom of the standings, 1-6.
UST’s foreign student-athlete Mo Tounkara anchored his team to triumph with a monster 21-point and 17-rebound double-double.
The duel began with the Tigers unleashing a 7-0 start ignited by a hook from Tounkara.
UST continued to take control until FEU caught up with Tamaraw guard Jorick Bautista scoring back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit by four points to finish off the first frame, 19-15.
The España-based squad whipped out a 10-2 run capped off by a triple from Gelo Crisostomo to start the second quarter with a 12-point advantage, 29-17.
But things started to get tense after the Morayta squad found its rhythm. Star rookie Veejay Pre beat the clock to carve out their deficit to just two points by the end of the first half, 34-32.
Found at a 38-all deadlock, UST floor general Forthsky Padrigao sank an elbow jumper to cap a 9-0 run, 47-38.
In the last possession of the third frame, FEU took advantage of UST’s defensive breakdown as guard Rojan Montenayor drilled a triple at the buzzer to trail by seven points, 59-52.
Not going down without a fight, Pre drove a five-point swing to keep the Tamaraws at bay, 75-70.
The Malian big man Tounkara, however, took matters into his own hands by scoring back-to-back crucial baskets to preserve the Tigers’ double-digit lead, 81-70, toward the closing seconds.
Aside from Tounkara, Padrigao also had a double-double after dropping 14 points and 11 dimes for UST. Nic Cabañero chimed in 13 makers, while Christian Manaytay and Crisostomo had 11 markers apiece.
Despite the loss, five players scored in double-digits for FEU with Bautista leading the way with 17 points. Pre chalked up 14 markers, while Pasaol added 13. Jedric Daa and Mohamed Konated had 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
The victory enabled the Tigers to surpass their wins from the last two seasons which saw them finish Season 85 with 1-13 and Season 86 with 2-12. F
