BRYAN Santos and John Enriquez hit clutch baskets as Technological Institute of the Philippines outlasted Colegio De San Lorenzo, 76-72, in the 1st Universities and Colleges Basketball League Monday at the Olivarez Sports Center in Paranaque City.
With the prospect of being upset by the CDSL Griffins, Santos came to TIP’s rescue, scoring back-to-back baskets as the Engineers regained the lead, 69-66, and the momentum to notch their third win in four starts.
But the win hardly pleased TIP coach Potit de Vera, saying his boys played inconsistently on the offensive end and their defense was fragile on several occasions.
Though the Engineers built a 13-point lead, 49-37, at the half, it was gone in the fourth after allowing the Griffins to score in transition.
“We have a bad game today. My players were not playing according to their true worth. Although, CDSL is also a good team, no doubt about it. But if we played according to our plan, I think, the score would not be that close,” said De Vera.
The loss pulled the Griffins down to sixth place at 1-3 and put the 33-point performance of Jonjon Gabriel to waste.
It was Gabriel who led the CDSL’s comeback in the fourth that saw them grab a 66-65 lead.
Gabriel completed a double-double show with 21 rebounds aside from posting five assists.
Harley Diego topscored for the Engineers with 16 points apart from registering 10 rebounds and two assists, while John Enriquez and Santos posted 15 and 14 points, respectively.
First game
TIP 76—Diego 16, Enriquez 15, Santos B. 14, Jimenez 7, Napoles 6, Alcober 5, Akpuru 4, Matignas 4, Santos I. 3, Pinas 2, Okoronkwo 0.
CDSL 72—Gabriel 33, Carongoy 12, Callano 12, Vargas 6, Alvarado 4, Formento 3, Borja 2, Astero 0, Ajero 0, Salizo 0.
Quarters: 20-16, 40-27, 61-52, 76-72.
Games Thursday (Olivarez Sports Center, Parñaque City)
12 noon TIP vs Diliman
2 p.m. CEU vs Bulacan State U