UST’s woes continue as FEU snatch first win of S85
By Francis Marvin De Ungria
The FEU Tamaraws came out on top against the UST Growling Tigers who were without Adama Faye in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament, 75–60, Wednesday evening at the SM Mall Of Asia Arena.
This is the fifth straight loss for the Growling Tigers and the first win for the Tamaraws in the tournament.
Tigers’ star Nic Cabañero started out hot, scoring eight of UST’s 14 points in the first quarter but the LJ Gonzales-led FEU came out on top, 19 to 14.
Gonzales’ three-pointer extended FEU’s lead to ten at the start of the second salvo, but the UST press stalled the Tamaraws’ offense quickly cutting the lead down to three.
Things took a turn however as Bryan Sajonia came out hot with 12 points to give FEU the seven-point lead at the half 40–33.
FEU brought their momentum at the start of the second half leading by as much as 13 after a Xyrus Torres three-pointer and a Sajonia floater.
The Tamaraws continued their dominance as they finished the game with a 15-point lead.
UST shot a poor 19-of-72 (26.4-percent) from the field, while their free throw woes continued, with only 14-of-21 (66.7-percent) made from the charity stripe.
Cabañero led the scoring column for UST with 20 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists. Ivan Lazarte continued his steady rise with eight points and eight rebounds. Christian Manaytay was three points shy of a double-double as he tallied seven points and 10 rebounds.
Sajonia led all scorers with 23 points on 10/16 shooting (9/9 for 2-pointers). Gonzales stepped up with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists while Torres scored 17 points.
The UST Growling Tigers (1–5) will look to end their first-round play on a high note as they face the top-seeded UP Fighting Maroons (5–1) this Saturday afternoon at the Ynares Sports Antipolo.
The Scores:
FEU (75) — Sajonia 23, Gonzales 17, Torres 17, Sandagon 6, Anonuevo 5, Alforque 3, Tempra 2, Bagunu 2, Celzo 0, Sleat 0, Tchuente 0, Guibao 0, Bautista 0
UST (60) — Cabañero 20, Lazarte 8, Manaytay 7, Mantua 7, Pangilinan 6, Calimag 5, Herrera 3, Garing 2, Manalang 2, Laure 0, Duremdes 0
Quarter Scores— 19–14, 40–33, 55–42, 75–60
