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| Photo by Marlo Cueto/NPPA Images |
Rookie Kevin Ferrer and veteran Jeric Fortuna led the Tigers in crucial late-game clutches while Karim Abdul finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds to save the day for UST and tie with the Tamaraws at third spot in the win-lose ladder.
The España five led by as much as 18 points in the first half but FEU's Roger Pogoy and Chris Exciminiano came out of nowhere, conniving for 16 third-quarter points to cut the lead of UST to only two before the fourth quarter, 55-53.
"We should be composed lalo na 'pag naghahabol ang kalaban," said UST mentor Pido Jarencio. "We learned our lesson from the first round."
Already assured of a Final Four slot when the Archers dropped their do-or-die game earlier, the Tigers strode confidently on court as the two Jerics, Fortuna and Teng, scored seven and six points early to end the first quarter with a 12 point cushion, 23-11.
Abdul then found his rhythm in the second canto as he dominated the paint, scoring nine of his 20 points to enter the dugout with a 45-32 lead for UST.
FEU fights the good fight
But the Tamaraws returned with a vengeance in the third as they outscored UST, 21-10, courtesy of rookie Pogoy and hotshot point guard Exciminiano.
Entering the final quarter down by just two, reigning MVP Ryan Roose Garcia caught fire early in the fourth, sinking a couple of critical jumpers to steal the lead, 69-66. The Tigers then turned to Chris Camus who scored five of his nine points in the quarter to regain the driver's seat with the clock ticking down.
The UST triad of Abdul, Ferrer, and Fortuna proved to be too hot to handle as they thwarted every FEU attempt to steal the game with steady shooting from the foul line.
UST's defensive plan
"Sa mga players ito, eh. Guide lang nila ako. Sila ang nagpanalo," added Jarencio whose defensive plan limited FEU in the dying moments of the game.
Ferrer tallied in 19 points and 12 rebounds while Fortuna scored 19 on a woeful two-of-seven from the three-point territory.
Garcia on the other hand top-scored for FEU with a quiet double-double in 17 points and 10 rebounds while Pogoy scored his season-high 14 points on top of six rebounds and two steals.
The Tigers can force a playoff for the Number 2 spot if they tie with the Adamson Falcons at 9-5.
The scores
UST 77: Adbul 20, Ferrer 19, Fortuna 14, Teng 11, Camus 9, Vigil 2, Lo 2, Tan 0, Sheriff 0, Lao 0, Pe 0, Ungria 0.
FEU 73: Garcia 17, Pogoy 14, Romeo 12, Exciminiano 10, Ramos 8, Tolomia 6, Escoto 3, Foronda 3, Cruz 0, Bringas 0.
Quarterscores: 23-11, 45-32, 55-53, 77-73
