Nonoy stars for UST Cubs in BBI hoops win

MANILA, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, even without center Bismarck Lina who is with Batang Gilas in the FIBA Asia U-18 championships in Thailand, had enough to lay the smack down on City of Malabon University, 90-50, in the sulit.ph Breakdown Basketball League Under-19 tournament at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center.

From a 21-11 lead after the first 10 minutes of play, Nonoy and Estrella presided over a 24-13 second period explosion that spurred them on to victory. By halftime, UST led, 55-24. The Tiger Cubs never stepped off the gas pedal en route to their biggest lead of the match at 40, which was the final margin of the game.

Five-foot-nine Rookie Mark Nonoy, who was recruited by UST after a stellar showing in the recent Palarong Pambansa while playing for Western Visayas, scored 15 points to pace the Tiger Cubs. Marcus Estrella added 12 points and nine rebounds for UST.

The Tiger Cubs are in rebuilding mode after the graduation and transfer of some players. The holdovers include Lina, Estrella, Liam Manabat, Vince Dolendo and Zian Benzonan. Last year’s mainstay CJ Cansino has moved up to the Growling Tigers while point guard Kobe Palencia is now with La Salle Greenhills.

In the other Under-19 match, the AMA Computer College Junior Titans outlasted hard-luck Colegio de San Benildo, 71-66.

For the second straight match, the Wolves lost a lead in the fourth period. Last week, they led University of the Philippines Integrated School then fell apart late in the game.

This time, Colegio de San Benildo led, 48-45, after a triple by Carrasco to open the final frame. A six-point flurry by AMA saw them take the lead for good, 51-48, after a jump shot by Kyle Fabian.

Karl Bautista and Christian Germino put the finishing touches in the last 2:55 to preserve the win for the Junior Titans.