MANILA – Peter Osang delivered a dominant double-double in his UAAP debut as University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers demolished University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 97-70, to sustain their late-season surge in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Replacing fellow foreign student-athlete Collins Akowe, Osang made an immediate impact with 19 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and two steals, powering the Growling Tigers to a 6-6 record.
Amiel Acido led UST’s scoring barrage with 22 points, including three triples, while Landyn Jumawan added 16 markers. Mark Llemit and Koji Buenaflor contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Growling Tigers wasted little time asserting their dominance, erupting for 35 first-quarter points to seize a commanding 35-19 lead before stretching their advantage to 58-41 at halftime.
UST continued its onslaught after the break, outscoring UE, 24-15, in the third quarter to virtually put the game beyond reach.
A three-pointer by Jiro Sevilla later pushed the Tigers’ lead to a game-high 31 points, 95-64, before they cruised to the 27-point victory.
Toper Lagat paced the struggling Red Warriors with 22 points, while Drew Jimenez chipped in 10 as UE slipped to 1-11.
Meanwhile, Adamson University Soaring Falcons snapped a four-game skid with a 62-55 victory over Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
Precious Jonah anchored Adamson’s victory with 11 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks and two steals, while Manu Anabo added nine markers. Kenji Canete and Matt Erolon scored eight points apiece.
The win lifted the Soaring Falcons to 5-7, tying Ateneo for sixth and seventh places in the standings./PN
