Dave Ando was an unstoppable force in the paint as University of Santo Tomas fended off University of the East, 72-61, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Tuesday night, April 12.
Ando provided the spark in the third quarter which enabled the Growling Tigers to erase an early 10-point deficit and lead by three points, 54-51, heading into the payoff period.
The Red Warriors, behind the three-point shooting of Harvey Pagsanjan, attempted a late comeback but Joshua Fontanilla, Nic Cabanero, Paul Manalang, and Sherwin Concepcion joined forces down the stretch and put the finishing touches as UST improved to a 3-5 record.
“Tyinaga lang namin yung first three quarters,” said UST head coach Jinino Manansala. “Salitan e, dikitan ang laban. Ngayon, nahanap namin 'yong kung sino dapat ang scorer. Ito katabi ko si Ando. Career-high niya.”
Concepcion led the Tigers with 17 points on a 6-of-10 shooting powered by five triples along with 11 rebounds while Ando posted a career-high performance of 16 points on a 7-of-12 shooting to go with 12 rebounds, which was a far cry from his entire first round scoring with a total of 14 points only.
Cabanero added 11 points and three rebounds, Manalang had nine points and five rebounds, and Fontanilla chipped in seven points, six rebounds, and five assists for UST.
The Tigers pulled away in the third quarter after unloading a 14-3 run capped by a Manalang layup to take a four-point lead, 54-50, with 8.5 ticks left.
Pagsanjan split his free throw to briefly halt UST's momentum at the end of the third frame but UST started the fourth quarter with a blast as Fontanilla, Ando, and Miguel Pangilinan connived for another 8-2 blitz en route to a 62-53 advantage.
The sharpshooting Pagsanjan pumped life for the Red Warriors after firing back-to-back triples to trail by five points only, 66-61, before the Tigers rallied one last time to secure the win and end their three-game skid.
Kyle Paranada spearheaded the Red Warriors, who remained winless in eight straight games, with 17 points built on five treys while Pagsanjan chalked up 16 points and nine rebounds.
The Scores:
UST 72 -- Concepcion 17, Ando 16, Cabanero 11, Manalang 9, Fontanilla 7, Manaytay 6, M. Pangilinan 3, Mantua 3, Samudio 0, Herrera 0, Canoy 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Gesalem 0.
UE 61 -- K. Paranada 17, Pagsanjan 16, Antiporda 6, Sawat 6, J. Cruz 5, Beltran 4, Lorenzana 3, Escamis 2, N. Paranada 2, Tulabut 0, Catacutan 0, Villanueva 0, P. Cruz 0, Abatayo 0.
Quarters: 11-21, 28-30, 51-54, 72-61.