Tigers boost semis bid
September 4, 2006 | 94 views
WORDS: Reuben Ezra Terrado of Ubelt.com
The Growling Tigers put one foot on its semifinals bid after it conquered fellow Final Four chaser Adamson University, 77-74, last September 3 at the PhilSports Arena.
Even with the win, it only assured them of at least a playoff for a Final Four berth, which have eluded them since 2002. They would have to watch the next playing date to see what is ahead for them.
For the Tigers, it is a step in the right direction.
“Ang sa amin, lalaro lang kami,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio. “Nanalo na kami ng anim at waiting nalang kami. Kung magkaroon ng playoffs, ok lang. Kung automatic Final Four kami, salamat.”
The Tigers (6-6) will have their eyes on September 7 as the games will help determine the Final Four picture. A win by Adamson and Far Eastern University on their games against National University and Ateneo De Manila respectively would lead to a three-way tie for third.
The UAAP Board is still undetermined on how to break the tie. One option is for the team with the highest quotient getting an automatic spot for third with the lower two battling for the fourth. Another is a “step-ladder” scheme wherein the winner of the bottom two teams goes up against the top team for the third seeding.
It was Santo Tomas’ defense that got them through the game as a steal by Japs Cuan and a lay-up by Jojo Duncil stretch its lead, 77-71, 41.7 ticks remaining. Prior to that, Dylan Ababou came through with a huge two-handed jam off a takeaway from Patrick Cabahug to stave off the Falcons.
After a 60-58 advantage at the end of the third, UST started to pull away with Jervy Cruz scoring a right corner jumper to beat the shot clock, 70-62, 5:36 remaining. But two Ken Bono short stabs and a pair of free throws by Cabahug suddenly pulled the Falcons to just two with three minutes to go.
Then, Marvin Poloyapoy made it very close as he drained a three, 72-71, 1:43 left.
But Bono fouled out afterwards which left the Falcons without its go-to-guy in the crucial moments of the game.
Cruz posted another double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Allan Evangelista chipped in 14 points.
Bono led the Falcons with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Paul Gonzalgo erupted for 14 points in a bench role. Roel Hugnatan had 11 markers and seven rebounds. Cabahug, the team’s second leading scorer, was limited to six points.
“Game plan namin, kapag ipinasa kay Bono, idodouble team namin siya. Kaya kapag nakakatira sila Gonzalgo at Poloyapoy, walang bantay,” shared Jarencio.
The Tigers dedicated the victory to the late John Apil, a former point guard for UST last year, who was born on this date.
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