TINAMBAKAN ng University of Santo Tomas ang University of the Philippines, 89-69, upang ihatid ang kanilang UAAP men’s basketball step-ladder semifinals duel sa ‘rubber match’ kagabi sa harap ng 17,722 fans sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nagtuwang ang athletic trio nina soon-to-be crowned MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo, Rhenz Abando at Mark Nonoy para sa 50 points nang malusutan ng Growling Tigers ang kanilang ikalawang sunod na no-tomorrow semis match, at burahin ang twice-to-beat advantage ng Fighting Maroons.
“It was a tough do-or-die game. We tried to go back to basics,” wika ni Chabi Yo, ang Benin slotman na kumana ng double-double outing na 17 points at 18 rebounds.
Magsasagupa ang UST at UP para sa karapatang makaharap ang defending two-time champion Ateneo sa Miyerkoles, alas-4 ng hapon, sa Mall of Asia Arena.
Sinunod lamang ng Tigers ang kanilang game plan kung saan hindi hinayaan ng España-based dribblers ang Maroons na makalabas sa kanilang comfort zone.
“It’s all about execution. Execution on both defense and offense,” pahayag ni UST mentor Aldin Ayo.
“This is our 16th game already, natututo na ang mga bata. I always remind them, everytime you play, you know your roles. Every possession, we have to work hard for it,” dagdag pa niya.
Umiskor rin si Abando ng 17 points at kumalawit ng pitong rebounds, habang nag-ambag si Nonoy, ang Rookie of the Year winner, ng 16 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds at 2 steals para sa Tigers.
Nanguna si Juan Gomez de Liaño para sa UP na may 20 points habang nagdagdag si Nigerian Bright Akhuetie ng 19 points at 18 rebounds subalit gumawa ng game-high eight turnovers.
Iskor:
UST (89) — Abando 17, Chabi Yo 17, Nonoy 16, Concepcion 12, Cansino 11, Subido 8, Ando 4, Huang 2, Paraiso 2, Bataller 0.
UP (69) — Ju. Gomez de Liaño 20, Akhuetie 19, Rivero 12, Paras 9, Webb 4, Ja. Gomez de Liaño 3, Tungcab 2, Jaboneta 0, Mantilla 0, Manzo 0, Murrell 0, Prado 0, Spencer 0.
QS: 19-13, 41-24, 60-47, 89-69
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