MANILA, Philippines – The Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers clamped down on the Colegio de Sta. Monica Cougars in the stretch to fashion a 78-72 victory yesterday in Game 2 of the ninth Universities and Colleges Athletic Association men’s basketball finals at the TIP-Casal gymnasium in Quiapo, Manila.
The win foiled the Cougars’ bid to claim the crown via a sweep, paving the way for the sudden death on Friday in the cagefest supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.
Point guard Francis Paolo powered the Engineers with 26 points, including 13 in the first quarter.
Mark Montilla, who delivered 22 points for the Cougars, was held to seven points in the fourth period as the Engineers charged back from an 18-point deficit in the third period.
Montilla’s baskets fueled a 19-6 run which enabled the Cougars to overcome a 51-69 deficit and threaten to within five, 70-75, off Jay Alquisala’s putback with 1:40 left in the contest.
But the Engineers held their rivals at bay through William Porter, Kent Lamique and Paolo’s charities.
Jayvee Ferreria, who fired 26 points in the Cougars’ 65-57 victory in Game One, was held to just nine points.
The 5’9” Paolo struck hardest in the first minutes of the game, making nine points as the Engineers immediately broke the game widen open with a 15-0 blast as TIP dictated the pace with its 25-9 first-quarter lead.
The Cougars felt the absence of key players Jessie Saitanan and Johnny Jasmin, who were suspended for one game with TIP’s Jaime Banez and American reinforcement Anthony Hargrove for their unsportsmanlike behavior in Game 1.
Lamique’s drive with 4:38 left saw the Engineers enjoying one of their biggest taste of the lead at 38-18, while Terrence Tumalip’s drive in the last 16 seconds of the third widened it further, 69-48.