After a bad start early in the season, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ game is finally picking up steam.
Zach Huang showed the way as the Growling Tigers repulsed the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 78-70, to post their third consecutive victory yesterday in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
Four players led by Huang scored in double digits as the Growling Tigers improved their win-loss record to 4-4 at the start of the second round.
Huang came up with a career-high 20 points and six rebounds, hitting 10 in the last quarter.
So far, UST’s record has the number of wins which they achieved under Boy Sablan two years ago.
With the count tied, 39-all at the end of the fourth period, the Growling Tigers went on a 10-0 run to break away from the Tamaraws.
“We’re grateful na kung ano yung pinaghandaan namin ay lumalabas. But it’s still a long way to go. We’re going to keep working hard,” said Growling Tiger coach Aldin Ayo.
From there, Huang joined up with Germy Mahinay who came up with another scoring blast to put the Growling Tigers further ahead, 65-54, with 3:55 remaining.
The Tams once again struggled without Arvin Tolentino after he got called for another disqualifying foul, and his second following his return from another one-game suspension.
UST also drew double digits from Marvin Lee with 17 points, five assists and two steals while Renzo Suibido had 14 points. Mahinay tallied 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
On the other hand, CJ Cansino only had five points but worked hard under the boards with 12 rebounds.
Richard Escoto had 12 points for the Tamaraws, whose winning streak ended at three and now has a 5-3 card.
Tolentino made 11 before he was thrown out for hitting Huang in the face with 15.9 ticks left in the game.