The UE Red Warriors, in its usual form, turned back 2006 UAAP champions, Univesity of Santo Tomas, with a 78-73 win, yesterday to fuel their bid of duplicating last year’s historic elimination round sweep in the 71st UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Colesium.
Elmer Espiritu chipped in 15 points, including a baseline jumper, with 25.3 seconds to go to seal the Warriors’ first win.
“We made up for our lack of size with quickness and athleticism,” said UE coach Dindo Pumaren. “We’re smaller, but we played good defense.”
Jervy Cruz, last season’s Most Valuable Player, hampered with hamstring and ankle injuries still manage to put in big numbers. Cruz scored 26 points and grabbed 22 rebounds.
“We had a hard time because every time they missed a basket, (Jervy) Cruz was there for an offensive rebound,” said UE coach Dindo Pumaren.
Aside from Espiritu, Warriors also got help from Hans Thiele and Marcy Arellano, who scored 13 and 11 points, respectively. Thiele scored 12 of his 13 points during the Warrior’s second quarter surge that ended with a 50-39 lead at halftime, in favor of UE.
The scores:
UE 78 - Espiritu 15, Thiele 13, Arellano 11, Martinez 10, Noble 6, Lee 6, Llagas 5, Etrone 4, Lingganay 4, Bandaying 3, Zamar 1, Tagarda 0.
UST 73 - Cruz 26, Ababou 15, Taylor 10, Allera 8, Cuan 7, Canlas 3, Fenequito 2, Mirza 2, Vargas 0, Fortuna 0, Camus 0, Bautista 0.
Quarters: 24-26, 50-39, 64-58, 78-73
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