UE strikes down UST for first back-to-back wins

(UPDATED) University of the East (UE) fended off University of Sto. Tomas (UST) in a highly physical encounter, 71-61, to rack up its second straight win at the UAAP men's basketball on Saturday.

The Red Warriors, who led by as much as 15 points in the first half, fanned its hopes to make it to the final four by clinching their first win streak this season.

“Like I told the boys in the pre-game, we’ve gotta come out and get the jump on them,” UE coach Derrick Pumaren said in ABS-CBN Sports.

UE roughed up UST, forcing the Espana-based dribblers to commit 32 turnovers. This allowed the Red Warriors to widen the gap to 16 points with just three minutes remaining in the clock.

Mark Olayon came off the bench to score 14 points for the Warriors, who improved to 2-6. Alvin Pasaol and Edgar Charcos added nine points each.

UE started their season by losing its first six games, including an 87-88 loss to UST in the first round.

Vigil, meanwhile, had 21 markers for the Growling Tigers, who lost for the fourth straight time and now also hold a 2-6 card.

UE and UST now share the sixth spot in the standings.

Box scores:

UE 71 — Olayon 14, Pasaol 9, Charcos 9, Palma 8, Batiller 7, Bartolome 6, Manalang 4, De Leon 4, Varilla 4, Abanto 2, Derige 2, Gagate 2, Penuela 0.

UST 61 — Vigil 21, Afoakwah 10, Faundo 10, Sheriff 5, Subido 3, Basibas 3, Lao 2, Lee 2, De Guzman 2, Huang 2, Macasaet 1, Caunan 0.

Quarterscores: 23-13; 41-27; 59-47; 71-61.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

Source : news[dot]abs-cbn[dot]com