Tamaraws nail crucial win tigers bite bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines — Even the off-court distractions would not stop Santo Tomas from climbing through the ranks as the Tigers booted out National U, 88-76, yesterday to snatch second place in the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

Bothered by recruitment issues on prized rookie Rhenz Abando the past couple of days, the Tigers proved that the on-court battle was the only thing that matters to them as they broke free in the third period to silence the Bulldogs (2-9) and leap over UP (6-4) for the precious No. 2 spot with a 7-5 slate.

MVP frontrunner Soulemane Chabi Yo was in his usual form for Santo Tomas, chalking up 16 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.

Captain CJ Cansino, Renzo Subido and Mark Nonoy contributed 15, 14 and 12 markers, respectively, while the returning Abando posted nine points and five rebounds following rumors that he was being recuited by another school at the height of the tournament.

Later, FEU completed a season sweep of La Salle, 81-60, to reclaim fourth place at 6-6, relegating its victim to No. 5 with a 5-6 card in this air-tight Final Four race.

“We played well. A lot of players stepped up. They just played basketball, they were having fun and they enjoyed the game,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo.

The scores:

First Game

UST 88 – Chabi Yo 16, Cansino 15, Subido 14, Nonoy 12, Abando 9, Ando 8, Bataller 3, Concepcion 3, Cuajao 3, Paraiso 3, Huang 2, Bordeos 0.

NU 76 – D. Ildefonso 27, S. Ildefonso 15, Clemente 10, Gaye 6, Rangel 4, Joson 3, Minerva 3, Oczon 3, Malonzo 2, Mosqueda 2, Gallego 1, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Mangayao 0, Tibayan 0, Yu 0.

Quarterscores: 17-18, 38-30, 65-56, 88-76

Second Game

FEU 81 – Gonzales 14, Tuffin 14, Comboy 12, Torres 11, Tchuente 8, Stockton 7, Ebona 6, Cani 5, Alforque 2, Tempra 2, Bayquin 0, Bienes 0, Dulatre 0, Mantua 0, Nunag 0.

La Salle 60 – Baltazar 16, Malonzo 13, Serrano 9, Melecio 7, Caracut 5, Manuel 3, Bartlett 2, Cu 2, Lim 2, Escandor 1, Bates 0, Hill 0, Lojera 0.

Quarterscores: 27-11, 40-29, 57-42, 81-60.