By NIKOLE JAVIER
Jojo Antiporda caught fire in the third quarter to lift University of the East to a 78-68 win over University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Antiporda finished with 13 points -- all of which came in the third frame -- to lead a fiery assault that left the Growling Tigers reeling in the dust.
After a solid outing against De La Salle, 81-74, last Oct. 12, UE picked up its third win against two losses to start a winning run for the first time since Season 83 to share the fourth spot with the former.
Luis Villegas, who finished with a double-double performance of 17 points apart from 13 boards, five assists and three steals, pulled the dagger to extend the lead for UE by 13, 73-60, with 1:28 to go in the final period.
Adame Faye, who hit the dugout first with a disqualifying foul late in the third quarter, finished with 11 points.
“Iyong mga guys like Harvey and Antiporda for the last four games medyo talagang they were struggling. I’m so happy that nagising na sila and really this is a team effort,” said UE head coach Jack Santiago.
Nic Cabanero paced UST with a double-double outing of 19 points on top of 14 rebounds as the team dropped four straight games against its season-opening win.
The Scores:
UE 78 -- Villegas 17, N. Paranada 17, Antiporda 13, Stevens 11, Pagsanjan 5, Payawal 5, K. Paranada 4, Sawat 4, Abatayo 2, Beltran 0, Remogat 0, Guevarra 0, Alcantara 0, Langit 0, Lingo-lingo 0.
UST 68 -- Cabanero 19, Lazarte 12, Faye 11, Manalang 9, Pangilinan 8, Manaytay 5, Duremdes 2, Calimag 1, Mantua 1, Garing 0, Herrera 0.
Quarters: 10-13, 28-29, 55-49, 78-68.