Daquioag heroics bail out Tigers from Tams late surge

MANILA, Philippines -- Ed Daquioag came to the rescue as the UST Growling Tigers pulled off a 72-71 squeaker over pre-season favorite Far Eastern U Tamaraws in the nightcap of the Wednesday double header in the UAAP Season 78 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Daquioag poured in 12 of his game-high 18 points including the Tigers' final six points. Kevin Ferrer and Karim Abdul also came through with double-digit performances to help the Tigers stave off the Tamaraws' furious rally from 11 points down in the third period. 

FEU, which trailed for most of the game, took the lead, 67-66, in the back-and-forth action in the fourth on a putback by Raymar Jose but it proved to be their last stand as Daquioag took over. 

The Tamaraws still had a chance to steal the game but costly errors in the endgame hastened their heartbreaking loss after opening the season with a big win over Ateneo Blue Eagles. 

Mike Tolomia typified the Tamaraws' struggles to take care of the leather as he committed a career-worst 10 turnovers. Mac Belo and Roger Pogoy led the Tamaraws' fiery rally with 17 and 13 points, respectively, while Jose gave a huge lift off the bench with a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds). 

But everything went for naught as the Tigers held on to their second win in as many starts to join surprise leader UP Fighting Maroons, which beat De La Salle Green Archers earlier, on top.  

Second Game

UST 72- Dacquiaog 18, Ferrer 13, Abdul 12, Bonleon 9, Sheriff 7, Vigil 6, Lao 4, Lee 3, Faundo 0, Huang 0. 

FEU 71- Belo 17, Pogoy 13, Jose 12, Ru. Escoto 9, Tolomia 8, Dennison 5, Arong 4, Inigo 3, Ri. Escoto 0, Orizu 0, Tamsi 0, Trinidad 0. 

Quarterscores: 17-14; 34-28; 54-58; 72-71