UST rides on 'Super Ababou' to beat NU, inch closer to Final 4

A Dylan Ababou-led UST squad dominated National U on Sunday to post a lopsided 79-58 triumph and move a win away from barging into the Final Four of the 72nd UAAP men's basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City. Ababou, whose awesome showing in UST's last three matches put him ahead in the race for the Most Valuable Player award, scored 20 markers and hauled seven rebounds in helping the team from Espana repeat its 104-89 double-overtime win over the NU Bulldogs in the first round. "Baka sa huli naming tatlong laro maka-isa kami, eh di pasok na kami," said UST mentor Pido Jarencio after eliminating NU (2-9) in the race for a Final Four berth.

Jarencio and his boys, now running fourth with a 6-5 slate, can officially enter the semifinals and end the Final Four race if they win over their main rival for the slot, De La Salle (4-7) on Thursday. However, a triumph by the Archers over the Tigers and in their last two matches versus Far Easten U and National U will give De La Salle an opportunity to forge a playoff for the fourth and last final semifinal berth. With their chance of making it to the semifinal slowly becoming a reality, Jarencio had only praises for his team, especially on Ababou. "Ayan si Super Ababou, kung hindi sa kanya wala kami dito kaya malaki ang paghanga ko sa batang 'yan," Jarencio said. However, Jarencio will not be banking on Ababou alone if ever his team reaches the semifinals, saying he is still waiting for several players to explode for the Espana-based squad. "Mayroon pa akong mga players na hindi pumuputok. Hintayin ninyo na lang," Jarencio said. The UST coach does not have any preference as to which team to meet in the Final Four, saying that they will just try to win against either Ateneo or FEU. "Kahit sino, wala ka namang puwedeng piliin sa dalawang teams na 'yan," added Jarencio, whose wards booked several 21-point leads against NU, the last at 66-45 midway in the fourth quarter. Ababou was fully supported by Jeric Teng who contributed 16 points and eight rebounds while Jeric Fortuna added 15 markers and Chris Camus chipped in 10 points and six boards. Ababou's fellow veteran Khazim Mirza posted a near double-double with his eight points and 10 rebounds. Joseph Hermosisima topscored for the Bulldogs with his 14 markers. Sorely missing on NU's offense was slotman Jewel Ponferrada who could only muster two points and eight assists. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV