Tigers on prowl devour Tams

MANILA, Philippines — Santo Tomas is beginning to look a lot like the fierce tiger it sets out to be under first-year coach Aldin Ayo.

Showing more teeth and growling louder by the day, the rejuvenated Tigers claimed the scalp of Round 1 front-runner Far Eastern, 78-70, to stretch its roll to three games in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tourney yesterday at the MOA Arena.

“We played well again and we executed our game plan. Pinaghandaan naman namin ito and we’re grateful kung ano’ng paghahanda, sakripisyo namin, lumabas sa laro (We prepared hard for this and the sacrifice showed in the game),” said Ayo, whose young wards (4-4) now own the longest active streak in the competition that’s becoming more and more unpredictable. 

“(It’s) a long way to go, we’re not going to be contented with these wins. We’re going to continue working hard and competing,” he added. 

After capping massive victories over Adamson and Ateneo last week, the Tams bowed to rebuilding UST, also their first-round tormentor, and fell out of the top spot at 5-3. Worse, FEU’s top gun Arvin Tolentino was slapped a disqualifying foul for hitting Huang in the dying seconds, a repeat offense that might lead to a severe sanction.

Defending champion Ateneo leapfrogged to No. 1 at 6-2 after dismantling University of the Philippines, 83-66.

The Scores:

First Game

UST 78 – Huang 20, Lee 17, Subido 14, Mahinay 10, Cansino 5, Bataller 4, Bonleon 2, Caunan 2, Marcos 2, Cosejo 2, Agustin 0, Zamora 0.

FEU 70 – Escoto 12, Tolentino 11, Orizu 8, Stockton 8, Gonzales 7, Cani 6, Ebona 6, Comboy 5, Parker 3, Bayquin 2, Inigo 2, Tuffin 0.

Quarterscores: 23-19, 37-33, 49-49, 78-70

Second Game

AdMU 83 – Ravena 21, Tio 12, Mendoza 10, Verano 10, Asistio 9, Kouame 9, Mamuyac 6, Belangel 4, Go 2, Black 0, Navarro 0, Wong 0.

UP 66 – Akhuetie 20, Desiderio 16, Manzo 8, Ju.Gomez de Liano 5, Ja. Gomez de Liano 4, Dario 3, Gozum 2, Jaboneta 2, Murrell 2, Prado 2, Vito 2, Lim 0, Spencer 0.

Quarterscores: 18-15, 35-29, 54-48, 83-66