Tigers buck slow start, claw Maroons

MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas bucked another lackadaisical start before posting a 73-57 win over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 77 men's basketball tourney at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.

A week after dodging a bullet in a 50-49 squeaker over Adamson, the Tigers struggled against the upset-conscious Fighting Maroons but eventually got going in the later stages en route to their third straight triumph and 3-1 overall.

A lethal 20-0 salvo in the fourth period did the trick for the Tigers, who joined idle Ateneo and Far Eastern at second spot behind National U's 4-1.

The Maroons, who led by as many as 11 in the second quarter, dropped to 0-5 and absorbed their 26th loss since Season 75.

On the backfoot, the Tigers patiently clawed their way back in from a 24-35 deficit and kept launching long-range bombs until they finally hit their target in the crucial stretch to secure the win.

"Siguro iyong shooting namin noong first three quarters hindi lang nagki-click. Tyanaga lang namin, we practiced hard on shooting before the game and nag-payoff naman nung fourth," said UST coach Bong dela Cruz.

The Maroons held a slim 54-53 lead at the start of the fourth before the Tigers unleashed 20 unanswered points spiked by three triples and two perimeter jumpers to swing the game to their favor.

Louie Vigil dished out a breakout game, firing 17 markers laced by three treys, to go with four rebounds and three steals as Karim Abdul had an 18-point, eight-board effort.

"Kailangan namin ng scorer aside from Abdul so si Louie nag-step up ngayon," said Dela Cruz. "Actually during the summer pa lang, sa Fr. Martin Cup, sinabihan ko na siya na isa siya sa magiging scorers namin this season."

Vigil, who sat out the previous season, shot five in UST's lethal run in the payoff period.

"Sinunod lang namin ang sistema ni coach. After the game against Adamson, one week straight puro shooting kami. Execute lang ng plays, tira nang tira sa labas. Yung kalaban namin – UP – more on zone defense sila, parang iniisip nila wala kaming shooting. Binigyan kami ng confidence ni coach," said Vigil.

Aljon Mariano chipped in 10 markers, six rebounds and four assists.

"Maganda naman nilaro ni Aljon today kaya lang kailangan namin maging mas aggressive pa siya," said de la Cruz.

Dave Moralde (15), JR Gallarza (10) and Henry Asilum (10) led UP's scoring parade.