Daquioag, Ferrer key UST’s victory over Adamson

MANILA, Philippines – Ed Daquioag sizzled with career-high 28 points while Kevin Ferrer added 24 as University of Santo Tomas turned back Adamson, 70-64, to join opening game winner University of the East in the early lead of UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tourney Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Daquioag pumped in 12 markers in the payoff period, including a twisting shot that restored a 67-63 UST spread with 25.8 seconds left.

“Hindi ko inaasahan na magka-career high basta gusto ko lang ipakita ang best ko, naging okay naman ang result (I didn’t expect to come through with a career high as I just wanted to give my best),” said Daquioag, who also had three steals and the same number of rebounds.

Ferrer also hauled down eight rebounds and issued four assists to complement Daquioag’s exploits.

“Expected ko talaga na sila ang mag-lead sa team at pinakita naman nila (I expect much from Daquioag and Ferrer as team leaders and they showed it in this game),” said coach Bong dela Cruz.

Outside the two, no one else scored much for UST. Louie Vigil shot nine while Karim Abdul added seven and Marvin Lee had two.

Dela Cruz said Abdul has yet to fully recover from a bone spur injury he suffered in the pre-season.

“He’s at 70 percent now. But we expect him to get better and fit as we play more games,” said the Tigers coach.

The game also marked the first appearance of UST’s prized “recruit” this season - PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio. The Tigers’ skills coach stood near the UST bench and gave his wards an added inspiration.

Joseph Nalos topscored with 18 for Adamson, striking hard in the fourth canto. Nalos’ split put AdU within three at 64-67 with still 17.6 ticks but the Tigers held on and preserved the win with Vigil making three of his four free throws in the dying seconds.

The Tigers earlier appeared headed to a blowout as it stormed to a 22-7 upperhand in the opening canto. But UST coughed up just six in the second, allowing the Falcons to creep back into the game.

The scores:

UST 70 – Daquioag 28, Ferrer 24, Vigil 9, Abdul 7, Lee 2, Subido 0, Sheriff 0, Lao 0, Suarez 0, Huang 0.

AdU 64 – Nalos 18, Ochea 12, Garcia 8, Capote 7, Margallo 5, Villanueva 4, Tungcab 3, Miranda 3, Bernardo 2, Sarr 2, Poilcan 0, Ng 0, Escalambre 0, Fernandez 0.

Quarterscores: 22-5, 28-25, 51-41, 70-64.