University of Santo Tomas snapped its three-game skid with a big time win over the Veejay Pre-powered Far Eastern University, 79-70, to protect its hold of the fourth spot in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.
Kyle Paranada and Nic Cabañero connived in the final period to fend off the charge by the Tamaraws launched by the 19-year-old Pre, who finished with a massive statline of 31 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field and 14 rebounds.
FEU kept on pushing in crunch time with Janrey Pasaol’s layup the closest it could get late, 64-69 with 2:42 left in the fourth quarter as Paranada responded with a corner three-pointer followed by a free throw by Cabañero to hike UST’s lead to nine points.
Pre continued to rally the Tamaraws but Cabañero, Forthsky Padrigao, and Christian Manaytay each basket to give the Growling Tigers the victory and break free from their three-game slump to improve to 5-6.
“Three-game losing streak kaya kailangang makabalik. Nagtrabaho ‘yung mga bata tapos breakout game kay Kyle Paranada. Basta kami ang iniisip namin ‘yung last four games do-or-die games na,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio as his team now holds a 5-6 record with a game and a half advantage over FEU, Ateneo de Manila University, and Adamson University, all at 3-7.
Paranada scored all of his 13 points in the second half on a sweet 5-of-6 mark from the field, while Cabañero made half of his 16 points in the pivotal payoff period.
“In the locker room all we can say is that we’re aiming for the Final Four. With that word from the coaches, doon na kami namotivate agad,“ said Cabañero.
Padrigao added 14 points and five rebounds, while returning Mo Tounkara made his presence felt with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks.
UST’s next game will be on November 6 against the skidding National University, still at the same Pasay venue.
Backup was lacking for Pre in the Tamaraws’ loss as Pasaol was the next highest scorer with just nine points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field.
Royce Alforque added eight points and eight rebounds while Jorick Bautista, who was known to emerge in the clutch, struggled heavily with just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting from the field.
FEU, which saw its two-game winning run cut short, will try to bounce back on Nov. 3 against University of the East at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
