THE University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers relied on the inside-outside game of versatile big men Kevin Ferrer to beat the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 83-76, in Season 78 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena, yesterday.
Ferrer relied on a soft shooting touch to score at will from the outside when given even the slightest space. When pressed too closely, Ferrer was too big and too strong to be stopped inside when he drove into the paint.
Ferrer finished with a career-high 29 points (including 11 in the fourth period), grabbed 14 rebounds and issued six assists.
With the victory, the Growling Tigers (9 wins, 2 losses) formally advanced to the Final Four behind the league-leading Far Eastern University Tamaraws (9-1).
The Fighting Maroons (3-7) dropped to a tie at sixth and seventh with the University of the East Warriors (3-7). Bringing up the rear are the Adamson University Soaring Falcons (2-9).
Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena, still hurting from a sprained ankle he sustained in the middle of the week, unloaded six triples in the opening minutes of the game to tow the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a 68-59 victory over the National University Bulldogs.
Games Wednesday (MOA Arena)
2 p.m. Adamson vs FEU
4 p.m. NU vs La Salle