Tigers storm past Maroons; NU wins

MANILA, Philippines - Santo Tomas leaned on the troika of Dylan Ababou, Khasim Mirza and Jeric Teng as it rallied from 14 points down to beat State University, 95-85, yesterday and regain its bearing in the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bouncing back from a bitter blowout loss to Far Eastern U, Smart Gilas Pilipinas standout Dylan Ababou fired 23 points while Mirza scattered 22 points, including 19 in the second half where the Tigers turned things around.

The 18-year-old Teng, a rookie out of Xavier High and son of former PBA star Alvin Teng, erased his career high he registered against the Tams last week by exploding for 22 points, all of which he scored in the first three quarters.

“We’re impressed with the kid’s heart. We’re proud he chose UST,” said UST assistant coach Cenen Duenas on behalf of coach Pido Jarencio, who skipped the customary post-game interview because of high blood pressure.

It was UST’s fourth win against three setbacks.

Earlier, National U unleashed its vicious run-and-gun game as it humbled Adamson, 76-70, to finish the first round with a 2-5 slate that breathed some life to its flickering Final Four hopes.

Skipper Marlon Baloran paced the Bulldogs with 13 points while neophyte Ronald Roy fired 12 points, including two of his team’s total 10 triples.

Big man Jewel Ponferrada chipped in 12 points spiked with eight rebounds and a career-high six blocks.

The Maroons and the Falcons fell to their sixth defeat against a win and will enter the next round at the bottom of the standings.

At first, it appeared that the Maroons, who hold the distinction as the only team to beat defending champion Ateneo so far, were headed for another upset win after erecting a 60-46 advantage in the third quarter.

But Teng unleashed a 10-point barrage he highlighted with a four-point play as the Tigers clawed their way back and even snatched a 78-68 edge, their biggest in the game, early in the final canto.

Another freshman, Miguel Reyes, coming out of La Salle Greenhills, tried to keep UP in the game by unloading a seven-point splurge in the final quarter. But Mirza and Ababou calmly put on the finishing touches to seal it.

“I’ve always told myself to lead by example – that’s why I’m giving everything for the team,” said Ababou.        – Joey Villar