Warriors extend Tigers' woes; UP stuns Ateneo

Games Sunday (MOA Arena)

2 p.m. – NU vs FEU

4 p.m. – AdU vs DLSU

MANILA, Philippines – Buoyed by its breakthrough victory last week, a fired-up University of the East claimed a second victim in slumping Santo Tomas, 71-61, on Saturday in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tourney at the MOA Arena.

The Warriors punished the Tigers with their stifling press, forcing them to 32 turnovers and converting it to 26 points, and turned to Mark Olayon for the offensive to secure a follow-up to their 64-57 disposal of Adamson earlier.

UE caught up with UST at sixth place with 2-6. The Tigers’ skid extended to a fourth game.

“We know how important this game is as we seek to come out of the hole where we’re in right now,” said UE mentor Derrick Pumaren.

Olayon, who averaged 8 markers in the first round, rifled in 14, including eight in the payoff period, to go with seven rebounds  as UE went back-to-back after a 0-6 start while also avenging its 87-88 setback to UST last Sept. 10.

“Nakakuha kami ng kumpyansa from last game (We gained confidence from our previous win),” said Olayon.

The Warriors raced to a 23-13 tear in the first and maintained a double-digit spread that reached a high of 19 at 35-16 in the second canto. UST committed 23 miscues in the first 20 minutes alone.

“I told the boys we gotta jump on them right away. We’re coming off a win while they're fresh a loss so their morale is low. We took advantage of that and forced them to turn the basketball (over),” said Pumaren.

Louie Vigil shot 21 while William Afoakwah had 21 rebounds and 10 markers for UST.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines finally broke free from the stranglehold of longtime tormentor Ateneo.

Showing grit in the crunch, the Fighting Maroons conquered the Blue Eagles, 56-52, to snap a 14-game, seven-year losing skid against their Katipunan neighbor.

Jelo Vito nailed a clutch corner trey and Jett Manuel hit the insurance charities to seal UP’s first win over Ateneo since a 68-58 verdict on July 26, 2009.

On a personal note, UP coach Bo Perasol chalked up one against his former team Ateneo, which suffered its second straight loss and dropped to 4-4.

“It’s extra special in a sense that we’re able to put an end to that long losing streak but I feel bad for my former players also. I know they’re in contention and they will still be in contention. There’s no extra special feeling because I beat my former team but I’m happy for my team right now,” said Perasol.

The Maroons seized a 51-44 cushion but a scoreless spell allowed the Eagles to close in at 50-51. Vito made that booming corner trey off a kickout by Manuel to restore a three-point cushion with 16.4 seconds left, prompting Perasol to raise both arms and the UP community to whoop it up.

Adrian Wong made a quick two then Manuel gave UP a fresh four-point tear going to the last 7.2.

“Credit really goes to my players, they really displayed grit and determination in the end game; they just did it,” said Perasol.

“We really believe we’re better than our 1-6 record. If only we could close out games, we could have won more games in the first round. As an added incentive, I was telling team, most specially Jett and the graduating players that we’re not going to wait for another seven years to beat Ateneo again.”

The date October 8 seems to be special for State U for the Maroons beat Ateneo for the first time in 15 games at the same time the university was marking the 30th anniversary of the 1986 championship feat of Benjie Paras and Company.

 Manuel finished with a game-high 15 while Desiderio added nine. Vito wound up with seven.

Chibueze Ikeh and Wong paced AdMU with 10 apiece.

The Scores:

First Game

UE 71 - Olayon 14, Charcos 9, Pasaol 9, Palma 8, Batiller 7, Bartolome 6, De Leon 4, Manalang 4, Varilla 4, Abanto 2, Derige 2, Gagate 2, Penuela 0.

UST 61 – Vigil 21, Afoakwah 10, Faundo 10, Sheriff 5, Basibas 3, Subido 3, de Guzman 2, Huang 2, Lao 2, Lee 2, Macasaet 1, Caunan 0.

Quarterscores: 23-13, 41-27, 59-47, 71-61.

Second Game

UP 56 – Manuel 15, Desiderio 9, Lim 8 , Moralde 8, Vito 7, Jaboneta 3, Dario 2, Gomez de Liano 2, Prado 2, Asilum 0, Harris 0, Romero 0, Webb 0.

AdMU 52 – Ikeh 10, Wong 10, Mi. Nieto 9, Verano 9, Ravena 6, Tolentino 5, Babilonia 3, Asistio 0, Mendoza 0, Ma. Nieto 0, Porter 0.

Quarterscores: 10-11, 23-23, 41-39, 56-52.