PCCL 2012 Finals: Growling Tigers end game spunk mow down Blue Eagles
Tuesday, 27 November 2012 3,345 Views / 27 Comments
The UST Growling Tigers weathered an end game storm to score an upset against reigning UAAP Champions, the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 82-76, in Game One of their best of three series of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) 2012 Finals on November 27, Tuesday at the Arena in San Juan City.
With the breaks of the game on their side, the Growling Tigers ignited in the final three minutes of the game a crucial 8-0 run after a technical foul by the Blue Eagles for delaying the game.
Skipper Jeric Fortuna initiated the run by sinking two charities, followed by a Carmelo Afuang right corner jumper off a Clark Bautista assist to regain the lead, 74-73, with 1:15 left.
Karim Abdul, left wide open by Greg Slaughter, after challenging the missed jumper of Aljon Mariano, widened the gap via a 2nd chance stab, before Kevin Ferrer calmly nailed a layup with 22 seconds left for a comfortable, 78-73 lead.
At the other end, Ryan Buenafe nailed a desperation trey to come to within, 76-78, but the Growling Tigers responded as Jeric Teng and Mariano converted both their attempts from the stripe to seal the game, 82-76.
The Growling Tigers then exploded with a 12-3 run in the last 2:26 minutes to seal the win for good.
“Sabi ko sa mga players depensa ang mag papanalo samin and sa huli yun nga ang key sa panalo namin today.” said assistant coach Estong Ballesteros who called the shots after UST head tactician Pido Jarencio failed to show up due to German Measles.
The Growling Tigers had 5 players scoring in double digits with sophomore Kevin Ferrer contributing a perfect 9-of-9 from the field to lead his team with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, while Abdul, Teng , Mariano, and Afuang had 12, 12, 11, and 10 points respectively for UST.
“Basta tulong tulong lang kami, kung sino ang mas may puso yun ang mananalo,” Ballesteros added.
The Blue Eagles crawled back from a four point deficit, 66-70, with Tonino Gonzaga scoring 5 of his 7 points including a go ahead lay up to take the lead, 73-70, with 2:26 left, but Greg Slaughter accidentally tapped the ball that caused the delay of game technical.
The España-based squad also outscored the Blue Eagles in the 3rd quarter, 21-16, entering the final quarter with a two point lead, 60-58, after trailing by three points at the end of the 1nst half, 39-42.
The scores:
UST 82 –Ferrer 18, Abdul 12, Teng 12, Mariano 11, Afuang 10, Fortuna9, Daquioag 2, Vigil 2, Pe 2, Bautista 2
ADMU 76 – Buenafe 15, Tiongson 13, Slaughter 12, Gonzaga 12, Ravena 11, Salva 8, Elorde 3, Golla 2, Pessumal 0, Chua 0, Porter 0, Capacio 0
Quarterscores: 20-19, 39-42, 60-58, 82-76
By AJ Bolando
(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5)
Loading ...
Grab the RSS
WordPress
27 Comments