Osang in solid debut as Tigers drub Warriors

MANILA, Philippines —   Santo Tomas wouldn’t be another victim of University of the East’s upset ax, cruising to a 97-70 win to revive its Final Four hopes in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Growling Tigers unleashed a 35-16 start and never looked behind for their second straight win and a 6-6 card after an 86-85 squeaker over Far Eastern U.

Santo Tomas now lurks at fifth place, in striking distance of reigning champion La Salle and FEU in the mad dash to the semifinals, where UP (9-2) is already in and National U has got one foot inside.

Nigerian anchor Peter Osang debuted in style for the Growling Tigers, delivering a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double laced by two steals and five blocks in lieu of their other foreign student-athlete Collins Akowe.

MVP contender Amiel Acido (22), Landyn Jumawan (16), Mark Llemit (11) and Koji Buenaflor (10) chipped in key support as Santo Tomas continued to steady the ship even with a new FSA after a costly three-game skid that pushed it down to seventh place.

“Peter’s always a part of the team. We’re happy with the way he performed,” said  UST assistant coach Peter Martin.