By NIKOLE JAVIER
The new-look University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers did not disappoint their supporters, crushing long-time rival University of the East Warriors, 70-55, to open their bid in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Following disappointing campaigns in the past three seasons with only six wins to show, the Growling Tigers led from tipoff until the buzzer.
As expected, the Tigers were a picture of dominance in their first win.
UST holdover Christian Manaytay was fabulous, making all his five field goals to finishwith 10 points on top of three rebounds.
Mo Tounkara, who replaced Adama Faye in the post, was also impressive in hius debut with 13 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting that went with four rebounds.
Nic Cabañero knocked a layup with less than two minutes left in the match to give UST a huge 22-point cushion, 68-46, its biggest lead in the one-sided affair and finished with a team-best 14 points.
Though the Red Warriors showed similar intensity at some parts of the match, the Tigers were simply too sharp and well prepared to show any sort of letup.
“First of all, this is a team effort. Second, credit to the coaches for the game plan. Happy ako sa first game na to. Ito ‘yung breakout game namin. ‘Yung confidence namin nataas and we’re well prepared,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio.
Last season’s Rookie of the Year runner-up Precious Momowei was a reliable pacer for the Red Warriors after posting a double-double outing of 12 points on top of 10 rebounds.
Meantime, La Salle-Zobel pulled off a massive upset on the opening day of the Junior High School Tournament with an 83-62 drubbing of National University Nazareth School at Adamson Gym.
It was a monumental win for the Junior Archers program, scoring its first win over the Bullpups for the first time since Game 2 of the UAAP Season 78 Boys’ Basketball Tournament back on February 26, 2015 — a 71-60 victory which was led by the duo of Aljun Melecio and Marco Sario.
The scores:
UST 70 – Cabañero 14, Tounkara 13, Manaytay 10, Llemit 9, Padrigao 5, Pangilinan 5, Paranada 4, Crisostomo 4, Robinson 2, Lane 2, Acido 2, Laure 0, Mahmood 0, Estacio 0.
UE 55 – Momowei 12, Galang 11, Fikes 9, Wilson 9, Lingolingo 4, Abate 2, J. Cruz-Dumont 2, Mulingtapang 2, Malaga 2, H. Cruz-Dumont 0, Go 0, Spandonis 0, Robles 0.
Quarters: 18-8, 36-29, 50-35, 70-55.
