Warriors end Tams’ win streak

Bon Bon Custodio fired 19 points, including a go-ahead triple in the last 26.2 seconds, as University of the East ended Far Eastern U’s seven-game spree with a 62-57 victory yesterday in the 68th UAAP basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Thrust into the limelight, Custodio, a transferee from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, bravely took and hit the shot that mattered most — a trey down the stretch that shattered a 57-all tie and sealed the Warriors’ sixth victory against two losses.

That firmed up UE’s hold of second spot while narrowing the gap from the front-running FEU, which appeared invincible after sweeping the first round of the double-round elims phase.

"The play actually was to drive hard, pero ganyan talaga ang player instinct kaya niya siguro tinira iyon," said UE coach Dindo Pumaren of Custodio, who finished with 19 points, including three from behind the arc.

FEU had a chance to send the game into overtime but Jeff Chan flubbed his own three-pointer. Arwind Santos tried to come up with a putback but the ball slipped off his hands as he went for the rebound.

Custodio then knocked in two foul shots to cap his endgame heroics and frustrate the Tams.

Mark Isip bulldozed his way to a game-high 21 points, including seven in one stretch of the fourth quarter when FEU fought back from a 48-55 deficit to knot the count at 55, five minutes remaining in the contest.

But the Warriors, led by rookie Elmer Espiritu, found a way to neutralize Isip before Custodio took over in the clutch.

Earlier, Warren de Guzman scored five of his nine-point output in overtime as University of Santo Tomas turned back an Abe Santos-less University of the Philippines side, 92-85.

After going just two-of-eight from the field in regulation, de Guzman found the range in OT and scored a triple and a putback that helped the Tigers snatch the win, their second in nine games.

"We’re not thinking of that right now, we’ll just go out hard each game whatever the outcome, of course, a win would be better," said UST coach Nel Parado when asked if he’s entertaining thoughts of a possible Final Four appearance.

After digging their way out of as many as 15-point deficits to force the extension, the Maroons, who sorely missed the services of the measles-stricken Santos, suddenly turned cold with erratic plays and poor shot selections that saw them convert only two points.

It was UP’s fourth loss against four wins.