Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — It wasn’t even close to the blowout victory they pulled off in the first round, but the UST Growling Tigers gladly will glady take the come-from-behind win nevertheless.
The Tigers got the better of the De La Salle Green Archers for the second time in the elimination round after coming back from 12 points down to take home an 81-79 victory in the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on Sunday (October 11) at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST’s Karim Abdul had his best game so far with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, while Ed Daquioag added 17 markers.
Riding the crest of their victory over their fierce rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles, the Archers looked like the more dominant side for the first three quarters and took a 66-59 lead heading into the final period.
But the fourth period was a different story.
The Tigers suddenly caught fire, paced by the shooting of talisman Kevin Ferrer, who scored 11 of his 15 points in the final period.
The España-based side also relied on its suffocating defense in the final period, utilizing the zone to clamp down on Jeron Teng and hold the Archers to just 13 markers against their own 22.
In the end, it was Ferrer who once again put the game away with two freebies with 3.2 seconds left on clock and render Teng’s last second heave worthless.
Teng could not lead his side to the victory despite scoring 16 points.
The game was much more of a contest than the pair’s first meeting, and UST coach Bong Dela Cruz said the second round in general would be more difficult for his side.
“Iba na yung second round eh,” said Dela Cruz. “Yung teams nakapag-adjust na sa amin, so kailangan mag double effort kami sa mga nagagawa namin this second round.”
The Tigers are sitting pretty at the top alongside the FEU Tamaraws with a 7-1 slate. They will face the dealers of their only defeat, NU Bulldogs, on Saturday (October 17).
La Salle sinked to a 4-4 record and will look to get back on the winning trail against the UE Red Warriors on Wednesday (October 14).
