University of Santo Tomas ended its three-game slump, outlasting winless University of the East, 72-61, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament, Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Down by seven after three triples by Kyle Paranada, the Growling Tigers just went off for a 20-4 run, capped by an and-one by Joshua Fontanilla to take a nine-point lead with 7:55 left in the game, 60-51.
Harvey Pagsanjan's three-pointer at the 3:46 mark of the fourth period pulled his Red Warriors to within five, 61-66, but that would be the closest they could get as UST's defense held on late.
“Tyinaga lang namin yung first three quarters,” said UST coach Jinino Manansala. “Salitan eh. Dikitan ang laban. Ngayon nahanap namin yung kung sino dapat ang scorer. Ito katabi ko si Ando. Career high niya.”
Sherwin Concepcion nailed five treys for the Growling Tigers en route to 17 points to go with 11 rebounds while Dave Ando registered a career game of 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting with 12 rebounds.
UST improved to joint fifth with Far Eastern University at 3-5 while UE absorbed its eighth-straight loss in as many games this season.
Kyle Paranada led the Red Warriors with 17 points on 16 shots, while Pagsanjan had 16 points on 17 attempts from the field.
UST will face De La Salle University on Tuesday at 12:30 pm, while UE will battle undefeated Ateneo de Manila University at 4:30 pm.
The Scores:
UST 72 -- Concepcion 17, Ando 16, Cabanero 11, Manalang 9, Fontanilla 7, Manaytay 6, M. Pangilinan 3, Mantua 3, Samudio 0, Herrera 0, Canoy 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Gesalem 0.
UE 61 -- K. Paranada 17, Pagsanjan 16, Antiporda 6, Sawat 6, J. Cruz 5, Beltran 4, Lorenzana 3, Escamis 2, N. Paranada 2, Tulabut 0, Catacutan 0, Villanueva 0, P. Cruz 0, Abatayo 0.
Quarterscores: 11-21, 28-30, 51-54, 72-61. (Dennis Lachica, Sportsmanila Photojournalist)