UST Tigers give Bong Dela Cruz rousing welcome in first game as head coach

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas gave its new coach a rousing welcome as the Tigers romped past Diliman Computer Technology Institute, 85-68, in the 20th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament on Tuesday at the San Beda Gym.

Louie Vigil had 22 points while Aljon Mariano added 17 points for the Growling Tigers in their first game under Segundo ‘Bong’ Dela Cruz, who replaced Pido Jarencio during the offseason.

Vigil had 11 points in the third period as the Tigers were surprisingly in a 31-31 tie against the little-known Senators.

The Tigers won without key players Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag, and Paolo Pe, who all had PBA D-League games with their respective teams coinciding with the Fr. Martin match.

UST is using the Fr. Martin tournament as its buildup for UAAP Season 77 as the Tigers will not be seeing action in the Filoil preseason cup.

In other matches, San Sebastian defeated Trinity University of Asia, 84-78, and Enderun College beat National University-B, 59-58.