Tams, Tigers bludgeon rivals, climb to second

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U and Santo Tomas pulled off contrasting victories yesterday and gained a share of second place behind reigning titlist Ateneo in the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament at the Philsports Arena.

The Tamaraws waylaid the National U Bulldogs, 82-57, while the Tigers edged the University of the East Warriors, 92-88, to move up to No. 2 with identical 3-1 records.

Ateneo is on top of the standings with three wins in a row.

It was also UST’s first win over UE since an 82-81 decision in the Final Four of 2006. That year the Tigers won the title by stunning Ateneo in the finals.

“It’s a good feeling we finally won against them after a long while,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio, the same coach who led the Tigers to their last UAAP crown.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas standout Dylan Ababou asserted his leadership as he took control in the final quarter where he scored 11 of his game-high 28 points to seal it for the Tigers.

Khasim Mirza, also in his last season, poured in 20 points, including eight in the first quarter where the Tigers gained control early while sophomore Chris Camus had 12 points and 14 rebounds.

FEU coach Glen Capacio kept Smart Gilas Pilipinas mainstays JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos out of the starting lineup in anticipation of a smaller, quicker NU squad.

It worked wonders as the Tams matched the Bulldogs’ speed to break the game wide open en route to their third straight win after dropping their first game to Ateneo.

“I knew NU is smaller and quicker so I started players who can match their quickness,” said Capacio.

It also benefited Cawaling who made six of first seven shots coming off the bench.

The Bulldogs absorbed their third loss in a row after hurdling the State U Maroons in their opening match.

After sputtering in the first half, the Warriors unleashed a series of vicious runs to score 35 points in the third period, the highest in a quarter this year, and turn things in their favor, 71-65.

Playing like the Tigers of old, UST clawed back behind the heroics of the troika of Ababou, Mirza and Camus to regain control.

It was Ababou, however, who shone the brightest as he led an 11-point barrage in final four minutes of play, including a key three-point play that put the Warriors away for good.

“I know that it’s my responsibility to my teammates, to be their leader,” said Ababou.