By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

HAD THEIR University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 win streak halted in two games early on, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers seek to win back-to-back games anew when they return to action today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Currently second-running in the race with a 3-1 record, the Tigers are coming off a gutsy 87-74 overtime victory over the National University Bulldogs last time around and are looking to build on it when they face off with the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the scheduled 12:30 p.m. contest.

Also seeing action today are the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (2-1) against NU (0-3) at 10:30 a.m. and Far Eastern University Tamaraws (1-2) versus the De La Salle Green Archers (1-2) at 4 p.m.

In its last game, UST had a dogfight with NU, eventually outlasting the latter in extra period to swing back to winning in the ongoing season of the UAAP.

Rookie sensation Rhenz Abando exploded for the Tigers in the dying seconds of regulation and in OT, including draining two triples in extra time to help his team build enough cushion on their way to the hard-earned victory.

The high-flying forward finished with 21 points, six rebounds and two assists in the win.

Soulemane Chabi Yo top-scored for UST with 23 points to go along with 20 rebounds and four assists while Sherwin Concepcion had 13 points and six boards.

Making a good account of themselves in four games so far in the season, UST coach Aldin Ayo said he is happy with where they are right now but underscored the need for them to continue working and improving.

“We are still in the learning process. We still have to learn to a lot of things to be where we want to be,” said Mr. Ayo, who is in his second year of coaching the Tigers.

Against Adamson, Mr. Ayo said they are expecting a grind of a match since the Falcons are very competitive.

“They may have changed players but it is the same tough Adamson team with their system in place. They would continue to compete,” the UST coach said.

On the part of Adamson, the team is looking to bounce back after finishing on the raw end of an 83-82 overtime match against UP on Sept. 15.

The Falcons had their chances to book their third straight win in the season but just could not hold off a ferocious charge back by the Maroons in overtime to slump to the defeat.

Val Chauca led Adamson with 21 markers while AP Manlapaz added 17 points in a losing cause.

WARRIORS’ SUERTE
Meanwhile, University of the East one-and-done Rey Suerte is the UAAP player of the week for stepping up big for the Red Warriors in their 89-88 breakthrough win over La Salle on Sept. 14.

Suerte, a three-time champion and two-time most valuable player back in Cebu while playing for the University of the Visayas, dropped a UAAP career-high 31 points, including what turned out to be the game-winning triple in the dying seconds of the match.

In winning the weekly award, handed out by media covering the league, Suerte bested UST’s Abando and Chabi Yo, Ateneo’s Angelo Kouame and UP’s Kobe Paras.

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