Tigers enter quarters in Fr. Martin cagefest

MANILA, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are in the quarterfinals of the   ongoing the 10th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open Cup basketball tournament.   

They relied on a better tie-break record to make it to the next stage after the Jose Rizal University-A Heavy Bombers drew 21 points from Schever Benavides and prevailed over San Sebastian College-A Stags last Saturday at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola, Manila.

Commissioner Robert de la Rosa said they both finished with similar 4-3 win-loss slates, but the Growling Tigers’ 59-56 win over the Heavy Bombers two weeks ago allowed them bag the last seat in this cagefest, which is supported by Twin Towers Bakery.

The Growling Tigers, who are coached by Estong Ballesteros, will get to face the JRU-B Heavy Bombers when quarterfinal action begins this Saturday at the Arellano University gym in Legarda, Manila.

They joined early entries, the University of Perpetual Help-A Altas (7-0), the Lyceum Philippines University-A Pirates (5-2) and the College of St. Benilde Blazers (5-2).

The Altas, who swept their seven-game assignment, are set to meet the San Beda Red Lions, who placed fourth in Group A with their 5-2 card, and after they won by default over St. Joseph-Bulacan last Sunday.

The JRU-B Heavy Bombers  topped Group A with their 6-1 win-loss slate, followed by Mapua Cardinals, which emerged with a tiebreak card with the Ateneo Blue Eagles as both shared a 5-2 card.

The Cards clash with the LPU-A Pirates at 10:30 a.m. while the Blue Eagles, who fought off the University of Perpetual Help-B, 63-53, takes on the CSB Blazers at 12 p.m.

In the women’s action, Erica Baldonado hit 13 points, and Clare Castro shot 12 for the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, who won over the Our Lady of Fatima University Lady Phoenix, 82-36.

This allowed the Lady Tams to end their campaign with a 5-3 card.