WHEN University of Santo Tomas’s (UST) best first-round start in three years was in trouble, Ed Daquioag was there to bail the Growling Tigers out of trouble.
Daquiaog erupted for a career-high 34 points, 12 he made in the final quarter, as UST survived a mighty University of the East (UE) comeback, 83-76, to end the first round with a league-best 6-1 win-loss record on Wednesday in Season 78 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Growling Tigers finished No. 1 after the first round in 2012. Head Coach Bong de la Cruz was not surprised of what they have achieved so far.
“We’re more prepared this season,” said de la Cruz, whose team was not even on the radar to contend for a Final Four spot this year.
And de la Cruz was also not surprised how the 24-year-old Daquioag has carried his team in the first round.
“Hindi na ako nagtataka. Sa summer pa lang nakita ko na siya. He’s with us last season but he’s injured,” de la Cruz added.
Kevin Ferrer and Louie Vigial each had 14 markers for UST, which led by as many as 18 points, the last at 39-21, before settling for a 44-33 halftime lead.
But the Red Warriors, behind Paul Varilla who also scored a personal-best 25 points, refused to quit and cut the lead to 56-60 entering the final period.
Daquiaog then hit nine of the team’s first 13 points in the fourth period to give UST a 73-65 cushion with 3:46 left in the game.
UE again threatened with six straight points capped by Ren Palma’s drive to make it 71-73 with 1:37 to go.
Again, Daquiaog made the big plays down the stretch, completing a three-point play and scored on an acrobatic lay-up, and Vigil sealed the win with a three-point play off Philip Manalang, 79-71, 29 seconds left in the contest.
UST’s win also surpassed its 5-9 campaign last year. But de la Cruz knows it is still a long season.
“Sa second round, every team will prepare againt us. So, one game at a time pa rin kami,” said de la Cruz, who also drew nine points and 10 rebounds from Karim Abdul.
FEU IN STRIDE WITH UST
FAR Eastern University (FEU) also weathered National University (NU) to score a 61-59 victory and tie UST at the top of the standings with the same 6-1 record.
Michael Tolomia hit two huge three-pointers in succession that gave the Tamaraws the needed separation after the Bulldogs knotted the score at 52. But FEU also needed a crucial defensive stop from Francis Tamsi to share the first-round lead.
The victory avenged FEU’s finals loss to NU last season but Tamaraws Head Coach Nash Recela said that their only goal on Wednesday was to win.
“On my part wala. I don’t know about the players,” said Racela when asked if they sought revenge in the match. “For me it’s just one game that we need to play correctly.”
Tolomia was the lone Tamaraw in double figures with 19 points and his back-to-back treys gave them a 58-52 lead with 1:48 remaining.
NU threatened at 59-61 after Alfred Aroga’s two free throws and the Bulldogs had the chance to tie or take the lead after Tolomia missed a scoop shot and his pass to Nico Javelona was intercepted by Francis Tamsi with two ticks left.
Tamsi was sent to the free-throw line, missed the first bonus shot and intentionally muffed the second with the ball going to NU. But Gelo Alolino’s desperation heave was off the mark.
Aroga finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulldogs, who saw their three-game winning streak snapped. They finished the first round with a 3-4 record.