Warriors subdue Tigers, near semis

University of the East whipped up a fourth-quarter storm as it demolished Santo Tomas, 77-59, yesterday to close in on a Final Four berth in the 67th UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena.

Paolo Hubalde and RJ Masbang combined for 36 points, including 12 in the final period that fuelled the Warriors’ key run on the way to their seventh win in 12 outings.

Another victory will give the team a guaranteed playoff for the last slot in the semifinals.

In the other game, La Salle displayed a well-balanced game as it whacked Adamson, 79-67, to assure itself of a playoff for the last Final Four seat.

Five Archers, including JV Casio who turned 18 yesterday, scored in double figures as La Salle eliminated Adamson. The Archers improved to 8-4 while the Falcons fell to 4-8.

"Sabi ko sa mga bata pumukpok lang ng pumukpok dahil humahabol ang UP," said rookie coach Dindo Pumaren’s on the Warriors Final Four bid.

The Maroons are, indeed, fast catching up with a red-hot searing five-game streak. They have Ateneo, La Salle and National U as their last assignments.

The Warriors, on the other hand, have the Adamson Falcons and the Archers as final foes.

Niño Canaleta also played big for the Warriors in the contest, chipping in 14 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and one assist.

Jemal Vizcarra and skipper Christian Luanzon paced the Tigers with 22 and 14 points, respectively. Lack of support, however, caused the Tigers their eighth defeat against four wins.

Big men Warren de Guzman and Jun Dizon were terribly missed by the Tigers. De Guzman served out a one-game suspension for a flagrant foul on La Salle’s Mark Cardona in a losing cause last week while Dizon was down with an injury.

After trailing in the ealy goings, UST came alive in the third quarter with a torrid attack presided over by Pribhdas.

UST wrested the upperhand at 53-50 but UE regained the lead, 55-53, at the end of the quarter.