By Jonas Terrado
Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas sizzled for 23 three-pointers to crush Technological Institute of the Philippines 115-62 Thursday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Builders Warehouse-UST's Vince Cuajao fires a three against TIP's Bryan Santos during their PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup game at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Thursday, March 5, 2020. (PBA Images)
Vince Cuajao and Ferdinand Asuncion combined for 12 triples as the Growling Tigers cruised past the Engineers for a promising start to their campaign in the season-opening tournament.
Cuajao made 7-of-12 from downtown to finish with 24 points while Asuncion went 5-of-9 on his way to 20 points for Builders Warehouse-UST.
Rhenz Abando had 15 points and six rebounds, Mark Nonoy posted 11 points, five rebounds and six assists and Soulemane Chabi-yo added 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
UST is using the tournament as part of its UAAP preparation while also eyeing a playoff spot after falling short in last season’s First Conference.
Papa Ndiaye and Bryan Santos scored 13 points each but TIP, semifinalist in last year's Aspirants' Cuo, allowed Builders Warehouse-UST to take a 20-5 lead at the start.
The Growling Tigers set the tone for the one-sided affair by hitting six threes during that opening stretch, with Nonoy hitting twice.
Cuajao, a seldom-used rookie in the UAAP last season, later scored nine straight points to stretch UST’s lead to 26-13 with 2:31 remaining in the opening period.
The scores:
BUILDERS-UST 115 — Cuajao 24, Asuncion 20, Abando 15, Chabi Yo 11, Nonoy 11, Huang 7, Ando 7, Paraiso 5, Santos 5, Bataller 4, Manaytay 3, Concepcion 2, Manalang 1, Herrera 0.
TIP 62 — B. Santos 13, Ndiaye 13, Daguro 10, Yu 10, Carurucan 9, Corpuz 2, Sandagon 2, Calisay 2, I. Santos 1, Navarro 0, Diokno 0, Primo 0, Sena 0, Cudiamat 0.
Quarters: 30-16; 54-31; 80-51; 115-62.