FORTHSKY Padrigao believes that University of Santo Tomas still could be better.
But from where the Growling Tigers stand at the end of the first round, it's already a significant improvement from where the hard-luck Espana side was over the past few years.
The point guard extraordinaire was the catalyst anew, as UST stopped Far Eastern University dead in its tracks, 83-72, on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Padrigao fired 14 points built on two triples, as well as dished out 11 assists, two of which came in the final two minutes when the Growling Tigers staved off a late rally from the Tamaraws.
With UST holding a 75-70 lead, he placed a perfect inbound pass to a driving Nic Cabanero before following it up with a dime to Mo Tounkara in the next possession to create an 81-70 breathing room with 1:23 to play.
“Yun ang key sa game namin. Last two games, our assist-to-turnover rate, masyadong mataas. We have to make adjustments. We’re at our best when we share the ball,” said Padrigao, who only had two errors out of their seven in total.
It was the fourth win for the black-and-gold in seven games this UAAP Season 87, already eclipsing the three-win total they had in two prior campaigns.
Padrigao, who also grabbed four rebounds, actually triggered the third quarter pullaway, sparking a 9-0 run to take a 47-38 lead with 5:35 on the clock to make up for his foul woes in the first half.
Total team effort for Tigers
But there's more to this win than Padrigao alone.
Tounkara unloaded 21 points and 17 boards, Cabanero bucked a poor 6-of-21 shooting to notch 13 and six, and Christian Manaytay and Gelo Crisostomo scored 11 apiece.
Five players scored in double-figures for FEU with Jorick Bautista leading the way with 17 points.
Mo Konateh was limited to just 10 points and 11 rebounds in the defeat, as the Tamaraws slid to 1-6 in the standings.
The Scores:
UST 83 – Tounkara 21, Padrigao 14, Cabanero 13, Crisostomo 11, Manaytay 11, Lane 5, Llemit 2, Calum 2, Danting 2, Acido 2, Pangilinan 0, Estacio 0, Paranada 0.
FEU 72 – Bautista 17, Pre 14, Pasaol 13, Daa 11, Konateh 10, Alforque 4, Montemayor 3, Ona 0, Nakai 0, Jones 0, Bagunu 0.
Quarters: 19-15, 34-32, 59-51, 83-72.
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