By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines–The University of the East Warriors got as much production from their bench as they did from their stars to put the University of Santo Tomas Tigers’ title defense off to a bad start via a 73-60 trashing Sunday in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
“I’m very happy that everybody played well, especially the five guys from the PBL (Philippine Basketball League),” said coach Dindo Pumaren, who cited the solid performances of Mark Borboran, who paced UE with 13 points, Marcy Arellano, Elmer Espiritu, Kelvin Gregorio and Jorel Cañizares.
James Martinez added 12 markers, including back-to-back triples that pushed the Warriors ahead, 65-54, with 2:52 remaining.
Earlier, Ford Arao held his own in overtime action as the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles survived a huge scare against the Adamson University Falcons, 69-63.
Playing his finest performance in five years, Arao shot 10 of Ateneo’s 16 points in the extra period as the Eagles recovered from poor shooting to climb out of an early double-digit hole.
“Sometimes you have to win ugly,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.
UE and Ateneo joined opening-day winners De La Salle University and National University on top with 1-0 slates.
The Falcons shocked the favored Eagles with a 12-0 start that grew to 17-2, before Arao stepped up late in the game to lead all Ateneo scorers with 20 points and 15 boards.
“The most important thing is that we’re able to recover,” said Black. “In the beginning, we just couldn’t make any shot. We were getting good looks at the basket, but it just wouldn’t go down. On the other end, Adamson did just about everything.”
Adamson’s Patrick Cabahug, who shot a game-high 28 markers, scored on a running jumper at the buzzer to forge the extra period.
A seven-minute dry spell hit the Eagles again in the fourth period, allowing Cabahug to spearhead a 12-0 spurt to reverse a 48-39 Ateneo advantage to a 51-48 Adamson lead.
But Rabeh Al-Hussaini scored on a putback in the next possession, then drew a foul from Paul Gonzalgo for a three-point play that tied the game at 51 with 58.7 seconds left in the fourth period.
Before Cabahug’s game-tying jumper, Ateneo seemed headed for a win as Chris Tiu nailed two free throws off a Leo Canuday foul with 12.9 ticks remaining.
The Falcons lost steam midway, scoring only a combined 15 points in the second and third quarters, following a 22-point output in first.
Offensive contributions from Jai Reyes, Chris Tiu and Jobe Nkemakolam pushed the Eagles within three 28-25, late in the first half.
The scores:
First Game
ATENEO 69 — Arao 20, Reyes 11, Tiu 9, Nkemakolam 8, Salamat 6, Monfort 5, Al-Hussaini 5, Laterre 3, Baclao 2, Baldos 0, Barracoso 0.
ADAMSON 63 — Cabahug 28, Hugnatan 14, Canuday 8, Yambot 5, Gonzalgo 4, Colina 2, Alvarez 2, Olalia 0, Canada 0, Margallo 0, Santos 0, Gorospe 0.
Quarters: 11-22, 25-30, 43-37, 53-53 (reg), 69-63 (OT)
Second Game
UE 73 — Borboran 13, Martinez 12, Thiele 11, Arellano 8, Fampulme 7, Bandaying 5, Gregorio 5, Espiritu 5, Llagas 3, Lingganay 2, Cañizares 2, Lee 0.
UST 60 — Cruz 16, Cuan 13, Taylor 9, Ababou 9 , Badua 5, Canlas 4, Mirza 2, Dizon 2, Scott 0, Espiritu 0, Cortez 0, Allera 0.
Quarters: 17-14, 33-27, 48-45, 73-60
