MANILA, Philippines — It’s double-up for Santo Tomas in the first round alone.
In a wild turnaround, the Tigers multiplied their wins from last season with an 83-72 triumph over Far Eastern U in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
On the heels of a two-win (2-12) season for a bottom-place finish, the España-based squad leaped to 4-3 to seize the coveted fourth spot entering the second phase.
Five players finished in twin digits led by Mo Tounkara’s 21 points laced by 17 rebounds to spearhead the onslaught of the Tigers, who could have been in a higher position if not for a two-game slide against top contenders UP (6-0) and La Salle (5-1), which collide today in what could be a preview of another finals showdown.
Forthsky Padrigao and Nic Cabañero were steady with 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Christian Manaytay and Gelo Crisostomo had 11 points each as Santo Tomas upped the ante in Pido Jarencio’s second year of his grand España return since towing the school to its last UAAP title in 2006.
“It’s a big win for us coming from a two-game losing streak. This is the team’s response to stop that. Nagsama-sama lang ‘yung players kanina, especially on defense,” said assistant coach Japs Cuan, who spoke on behalf of Jarencio, who was in a faceoff with an old PBA foe in FEU mentor Sean Chambers.
Later, Kenshin Padrones (18) and Jake Figueroa (15) conspired as National U (2-5) snapped a four-game skid with a 78-68 win against Ateneo (1-6).