WHITE-HOT CHRISTMAS
It’s the second of the “Ber” months, with the cold air slowly creeping into the season.
And for University of Santo Tomas, it’s never too early to talk Christmas.
“We have a term around here that says our [stat sheet] looks like a Christmas tree. That’s what we’re really after with our 25 assists,” said UST assistant coach Juben Ledesma, after a 111-99 victory over University of the East on Saturday.
“That’s a good indication that our offense is really flowing.”
That flowing offense on display at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion helped the Tigers become the first team to hit 100 points in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, a mark they crossed halfway through the fourth on a Nic Cabañero triple.
Going into the game, UST was averaging around 29 made field goals on 14.7 assists and they were going at the same assists-field goal rate against UE—except that the Tigers were doing it at full speed.
They wound up shooting slightly over 50 percent from the floor, making 38 field goals off their assists output.
“Offensively, we’ve been a very fluid team since last year and with the addition of Collins (Akowe), our confidence skyrocketed,” Ledesma added. “It really helps us big time. Add that with coach’s (Pido Jarencio) confidence with our boys.”
Cabañero played Santa Claus to his teammates with eight assists to go with his 22 points, three rebounds and two steals.
“It’s my fifth year here in the UAAP, I already know our approaches with different teams and I just stick to the system given to me,” he said after UST improved to 3-1 (win-loss).
“Without my teammates, I wouldn’t score this much. They just give me confidence,” the muscled guard added.
And to keep up with the holiday spirit, Akowe was the hard-nosed reindeer with 18 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks, bouncing back from an off-night against his high school squad, National University, which dealt UST its lone loss so far this season.
Balanced scoring
Forthsky Padrigao finished with 18 points, six assists, six steals and three rebounds as he efficiently quarterbacked the Tigers while making 6-of-11 shots from the field built around a 5-of-9 performance from behind the arc.
UST had five players finishing in double figures, with three more Tigers within a field goal of joining them.
John Abate’s game-high 27 points went for naught as the Red Warriors remained winless after four games. Dray Caoile fired 23 points for the Warriors.
UST hopes to ride some sort of momentum as it leaves the comfort of its QPav home for the first time this season when the Tigers travel to Katipunan for a showdown with Ateneo at Blue Eagle gym next Saturday.
