UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas delivered a statement win at the expense of last year's runner-up University of the Philippines with an 85-69 trumping Saturday in the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Super rookie Mark Nonoy shook off his forgettable seniors debut and put up 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists as the Growling Tigers used an 11-0 finishing kick and held the Fighting Maroons scoreless in the final 4:03.
UST seized early leadership in the standings at 2-0, while sending UP down to a 1-1 card.
But coach Aldin Ayo refused to put too much thought on this victory, noting: "Hindi ko iniisip na statement kasi siguro on paper, very talented talaga yung UP. Pero lahat naman napaghahandaan. Isang laro lang naman ito, meron pang dose pa."
Beninese big man Soulemane Chabi Yo continued to ran roughshod in the paint with his 18 points, 18 rebounds, two steals, one assist, and one block, while senior guard Renzo Subido shot 3-of-6 from deep to fire 13 points, three boards, and three dimes.
Rhenz Abando continued his stellar rookie season with his 12 points, seven rebounds, three rejections, two assists, and two steals, as Dave Ando was happy to do the yeoman job with his 10 points and three boards in the win.
The Growling Tigers continued to bank on their three-point-heavy offense with their 9-of-28 clip, good for 32-percent.
Bright Akhuetie topped UP in the defeat with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists.
Javi Gomez de Liano contributed 15 points and eight boards, while Jaydee Tungcab had 11 points and four rebounds.
Kobe Paras once again missed the game due to his sprained right ankle.
The Scores:
UST 85 -- Chabi Yo 18, Nonoy 16, Subido 13, Abando 12, Ando 10, Huang 9, Paraiso 6, Cansino 1, Bataller 0, Concepcion 0, Cosejo 0, Cuajao 0.
UP 69 -- Akhuetie 19, Ja. Gomez de Liano 15, Tungcab 11, Murrell 6, Ju. Gomez de Liano 5, Manzo 5, Rivero 4, Webb 4, Gozum 0, Jaboneta 0, Mantilla 0, Prado 0, Spencer 0.
Quarters: 19-15, 44-37, 63-58, 85-69.
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