Tigers, Altas post Fr. Martin Cup wins

MANILA, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, the University of Perpetual Help Altas came off with contrasting victories Monday, and swept their elimination round assignments in the 20th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.

Kim Lo scored on a layup in the final second to power the Growling Tigers to a 71-69 triumph over the Lyceum Philippines University-A Pirates to finish Group B with a seven-game sweep at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.

GJ Ylagan fired 18 points for the Altas in their 101-74 beating of the Centro Escolar University-Malolos Scorpions to top Group A with their nine consecutive victory.

The Growling Tigers and the Altas formally entered the semifinal round.

UST’s win came as the Enderun College Titans drew double digit baskets from Earl Maravilla, Willie Kamguia and Jordan Rios and held off the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 82-74.

The Titans, with Maravilla making 25 points, and the pair of Kamguia and Rios drilling in 21 apiece, improved their chances of earning the Group A semis berth with their fifth  win in seven games.

 Anton Tamayo and Nigerian Akhuetie Bright contributed 14 and 13 points for the Altas, who took charge right in the first period.

Bright came up with 11 points in the first 10 minutes as the Altas pulled away by 17 points, 28-11.

Lo led the Growling Tigers with 15 points while Kareem Abdul knocked in 13.

The Altas held the Scorpions to just 14 points in the second period, and this allowed them to stay ahead, 55-32, at halftime.