FilOil: Tigers survive gritty Warriors to reach .500 mark

University of Santo Tomas (UST) forward Aljon Mariano shot 5-of-12 from the free throw line, but made two crucial charities in the dying seconds to push the Growling Tigers to a 67-64 win over University of the East Friday in the FilOil Preseason Cup at The Arena in San Juan City.   The Growling Tigers overcame a 58 percent shooting from the free throw line and also struggled from downtown, with top gunners Clark Bautista and Jeron Teng combining for 4-of-19 clip.   Mariano made eight points in the third period to help UST’s cause, while Adrian Santos supplied the offense for UE on short stabs and timely putbacks   Santos finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, five of whom at the offensive end. Rey Sumido and Roi Sumang chipped in 12 and 11 markers each.   The Growling Tigers asserted themselves in the fourth, despite shooting poorly from the stripe. Sporadic contributions from usual starters Karim Abdul, Jeric Fortuna and Kevin Ferrer helped the España-based quintet to distance themselves from the Red Warriors.   Abdul was a non-factor during the game, making only 3-of-9 from the field and looked lost at times.   Mariano finished with a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Abdul added 13 markers and 12 boards.   The Tigers notched their third win in six games of the season while the Warriors fell to 2-4. — JVP, GMA News Scores: UST 67—Mariano 18, Abdul 13, Fortuna 9, Bautista 7, Ferrer 6, Lo 5, Afuang 4, Teng 3, Vigil 2, Lao 0, Mamaril 0, Garrido 0, Tan 0.