by Jomi Villanueva
Veterans Louie Vigil and Kevin Ferrer combined for 30 as UST ousted defending champions NU during their Final Four clash for a seat in the Finals match Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tigers dominated throughout the whole game tallying 15-12 in the first quarter and 30-20 during the second, which continued to balloon as Ferrer sank his ankle-breaking three-point shot from the corner for their biggest lead in the game, 48-32, with 6:40 remaining.
Nico Javelona, who paced NU with 18 points and seven boards, sank a tough three-pointer during the dying seconds of the match to overcome the 16-point lead by the Tigers to a six-point game, 55-61.
Vigil led the Tigers’ charge with a career-high 19 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks. Mythical Five members Ferrer and Ed Daquioag fired 11 and eight points, respectively.
Playing his final game, NU’s Gelo Alolino was limited to six points on 1-of-17 shooting from the field. Last season’s Finals MVP Alfred Aroga had 7 baskets but managed to nab 15 boards.
UST will be climbing up the Finals stage for the third time in four years. Its last championship title was way back in 2006 against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The Espanya-based squad will face last year’s runner up, FEU Tamaraws, in a best-of-three match on Wednesday.
Almost making it to overtime, the Tams succeeded in frustrating pesky ADMU Eagles behind the buzzer of Mac Belo for a 76-74 victory during their Nov. 21 Final Four game.
Scores:
UST (64): Vigil 19, Ferrer 11, Sheriff 10, Daquioag 8, Abdul 6, Bonleon 5, Lee 5, Lao 0, Faundo 0
NU (55): Javelona 18, Alejandro 8, Aroga 7, Diputado 7, Alolino 6, Javillonar 5, Neypes 3, Celda 2, Abatayo 0, Salim 0, Morido 0
Quarter scores: 15-12, 30-20, 44-32, 64-55
Nico Javelona, who paced NU with 18 points and seven boards, sank a tough three-pointer during the dying seconds of the match to overcome the 16-point lead by the Tigers to a six-point game, 55-61.
Vigil led the Tigers’ charge with a career-high 19 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks. Mythical Five members Ferrer and Ed Daquioag fired 11 and eight points, respectively.
Playing his final game, NU’s Gelo Alolino was limited to six points on 1-of-17 shooting from the field. Last season’s Finals MVP Alfred Aroga had 7 baskets but managed to nab 15 boards.
UST will be climbing up the Finals stage for the third time in four years. Its last championship title was way back in 2006 against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The Espanya-based squad will face last year’s runner up, FEU Tamaraws, in a best-of-three match on Wednesday.
Almost making it to overtime, the Tams succeeded in frustrating pesky ADMU Eagles behind the buzzer of Mac Belo for a 76-74 victory during their Nov. 21 Final Four game.
Scores:
UST (64): Vigil 19, Ferrer 11, Sheriff 10, Daquioag 8, Abdul 6, Bonleon 5, Lee 5, Lao 0, Faundo 0
NU (55): Javelona 18, Alejandro 8, Aroga 7, Diputado 7, Alolino 6, Javillonar 5, Neypes 3, Celda 2, Abatayo 0, Salim 0, Morido 0
Quarter scores: 15-12, 30-20, 44-32, 64-55