Undermanned UST brings down UP
THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers ended their first-round campaign in UAAP Season 81 on a high note, defeating the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 86-72, on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Continued to play sans Cameroonian big man Steve Akomo, out indefinitely because of blood clots found in his head, UST played with a lot of spirit and drive to overpower UP and end their first-round assignment in the ongoing season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines with back-to-back wins.
The Tigers (3-4) defeated the University of the East Red Warriors in their previous game.
UST galloped to start the contest, building an 8-0 lead in the first three minutes of the opening quarter.
It was a leverage they would build on to establish a 14-6 advantage midway before extending it to a 15-point separation, 31-16, at the end of the opening frame.
Rookie CJ Cansino helped UST to another strong start in the second canto, stretching their lead to 23 points, 48-25, with 2:11 left in the half.
The Maroons tried to narrow the gap but only saw the Tigers pound on them and be buried some more, 53-29, at the break.
Veteran Paul Desiderio led a mini run by UP to start the third period.
But the Tigers would not relent on their attack, with Enrique Caunan at the helm of the charge, to hold a 62-37 advantage with 4:30 left in the quarter.
Cansino and Renzo Subido picked up from there and pulled UST even farther, 73-43, heading into the two-minute mark.
When the quarter dust settled, UST was in command, 76-46.
The Maroons opened the fourth period with a 13-3 run to cut their deficit, 79-59, with 5:31 left on the clock.
Four quick points though by UST after restored some order for the Tigers.
UP managed to come within 14 points, 83-69, with two minutes left in the match but it proved to be too late as UST went for the closeout from there.
Cansino paced the Tigers with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. He also had seven assists.
Subido had 13 points while Ken Zamora and Marvin Lee added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
UP, for its part, was led by Akhuetie with 18 points and 11 boards.
Javi Gomez de Liano finished with 12 points and Diego Dario 10 for the Maroons (3-4), who failed to finish the first round with a winning record.
“Everybody came to play today. We executed our game plan which helped a lot. Steve [Akomo], of course, is a rallying point for us. We are playing for him,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo after their win.
Meanwhile, UST continued to play without Akomo, who is in the hospital after blood clotting due to head trauma was found in his head.
Experienced dizziness and vomiting, Akomo was admitted to the UST Hospital on Monday and is now being observed.
Reports have it that he does not need to undergo surgery as the clots could be rid of through medication.
Akomo’s condition is being pointed to his collision with Adamson University’s Papi Sarr in their game on Sept. 22, giving rise to call for the UAAP to have a clear policy on concussion.
League officials said they would take up the matter in their next policy meeting. —