POINT GUARD Kyle Paranada shone bright for the UST Growling Tigers to outlast the UE Red Warriors, 71-65, in the 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Wednesday, July 2, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The former Red Warrior erupted for 24 points, including five triples, two rebounds and three steals to help UST secure a trip to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
“My teammates and coaches trusted me to shoot the ball, so that’s what I did and they gave me all the confidence in the world to shoot,” Paranada said postgame.
The España-based squad currently sits atop the standings with a 4-1 record coming into the final game of eliminations. Meanwhile, the Recto squad remained winless at 0-5.
UST found themselves on the back foot in the opening quarter as UE mounted a 9-0 start.
Tiger star Nic Cabañero then sparked an eight-point rally while rookie Koji Buenaflor sank a three-pointer to trim their deficit by four at the end of the first quarter, 17-13.
The Red Warriors responded early in the second frame with back-to-back baskets from Wello Lingolingo to extend the gap to 21-13.
But Paranada found his stroke, drilling three consecutive long bombs and converting an and-1 play to push UST ahead by halftime, 34-29.
The Tigers carried the momentum in the third quarter, unleashing a 15-5 run behind combined efforts from Cabañero, Paranada and Buenaflor to widen the lead, 51-39.
UE, however, clawed back with a 16-5 counterattack in the final quarter to cut UST’s lead by two with under four minutes remaining, 62-60.
Still with a hot hand, Paranada came to the rescue with a clutch three-pointer to halt UE’s momentum. Forthsky Padrigao then followed it up with his first basket of the game to take a 68-62 lead.
The Red Warriors failed to respond in the dying minutes of the match as Paranada iced the game with a mid-range jumper, 71-65.
Cabañero chipped in 15 points and five rebounds, while Buenaflor registered 11 points and seven rebounds to back up Paranada and the Tigers.
In a losing effort, Lingolingo led all scorers with 27 points and seven rebounds. Import Precious Momowei added 17 points and 17 rebounds.
UST will wrap up the elimination round against the DLSU Green Archers on July 9 in the same venue. F – Kurt Andre Trinidad
