Tigers hold off Knights, boost quarterfinal bid

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas used one big scoring spurt in the opening period then went on to dominate Letran, 86-69, and bolster its quarterfinal bid in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The Tigers went on a scoring spree in the early going and finished the first quarter with a 30-point output while holding the Knights to 18. They were never seriously threatened from there, closing out the next three quarters with double-digit spreads.

The win was UST’s fourth against three losses to tie their victims at fourth but the Tigers will have a lighter Group A assignment in the UP Maroons on Friday. The Knights, in contrast, will have to hurdle unbeaten leader San Beda to stay in the hunt.

The Tigers shot 7-of-15 from beyond the arc and hit 21-of-39 from the perimeter to ground the Knights, who had trouble finding their range despite the return of top gunner Kevin Alas.

The Knights also struggled without head coach Louie Alas, who was ejected early in the second quarter after incurring two technical’s fouls for cursing a referee, who allegedly cursed the mentor’s son.

Karim Abdul shot 7-of-10 in the paint and finished with 18 points and seven boards, while Jeric Teng added 13 markers and five rebounds for UST, which also drew a combined 21-point game from Kevin Ferrer and Jeric Fortuna.

UST also made all but two of their 25 charities for a high 92 percent performance.

“We’ll just play our best. If we make to the quarters, then it’s good,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio in Filipino. “But what’s important is that we improve on our cohesiveness.”

The Tigers’ defense likewise held Kevin Alas to only five points and Mark Cruz, who scored 27 points against Mapua, to just nine points.

Jam Cortes led Letran with 18 points and five boards, while Kevin Racal chipped in 16 points and five rebounds. 

In a duel of ousted teams, Perpetual Help subdued University of the East, 83-76, to finish with a 2-6 card.

Anthony Paulino scored 21 points and hauled down nine rebounds, while Harold Arboleda chipped in 15 markers and nine boards and Jet Vidal and Chris Elopre combined for 25 points for the Altas.