UAAP: UST downs Adamson for 1st win

Defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers blasted Thursday the Adamson University Falcons, 96-84, for their first victory in the 70th University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men's basketball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Prized center Jervy Cruz had another monster performance for his team by scoring 24 points, grabbing 23 rebounds (13 off the offensive boards) and issuing three assists in a yeoman’s job that earned praises from Coach Pido Jarencio. "He (Cruz) was a monster out there especially in the offensive boards. He really lifted us in this crucial game," said Jarencio. "I hope he continues with his good play as the season progresses," he added. Point guard Japs Cuan was also instrumental in the Tigers’ victory as he ably orchestrated UST’s plays. He also scored 11 points, four rebounds and four assists in the ball game. Third –year guard Francis Allera also contributed well by scoring a career-high 26 points, including 6/9 from the three point range. UST was leading by a slim one point, 65-64, at the beginning of the fourth and final period when the Tigers, behind Cruz, Allera and Cuan, unleashed a ferocious 31-20 run, to close out the game and earn their first victory of the season. The Tigers improved their win-loss record to 1-2 while Adamson further dropped in the team standings with a 0-3 record, in a tie with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons at the bottom of the standings. UST led at the half at 47-45. The Tigers managed to led at halftime after it edge the Falcons in the rebounding department at 31-20, including 17 off the offensive boards. The third quarter saw the Tigers feeling the heat after they only shot a dismal 20 percent in the field but they were able to make the score tight with 13 rebound offensive rebounds to compensate for the missed shots. The biggest lead of UST came under three minutes left in the game after Allera drilled in his sixth three-pointer to give his team a 16 point lead, at 94–78. Adamson was led fifth-year guard Patrick Cabahug who scored a team high 24 points for the game. Cabahug is currently the tournament’s leading scorer averaging 24 points in the last three games. - GMANews.TV