Growling Tigers trip Scorpions, seize lead

MANILA, Philippines - PCCL champion UST-Pacific Pipes blasted NAASCU runner-up CEU-Advanced Solutions, 91-83, at the start of the MBL Open basketball championship at the Lumera Tower gym in Legarda recently.

With Pido Jarencio back as coach, the Tigers used a strong third-quarter run to break the game wide open then held off the Scorpions’ repeated rallies down the stretch to fashion out the victory in the tournament sponsored by Ironcon Builders, Cebuana Lhuillier, Zucchero Cafe and Sports Bar, Dickies Underwear and KABAKA of Rep. Amado Bagatsing.

Aljon Mariano eluded the tough Scorpions’ defense and scored eight of his game-high 23 points in the third quarter to lead the Tigers’ decisive breakaway.

Kim Lo added 13 points, Kevin Ferrer contributed 12 markers and Ed Daquioag had 11 points for the Tigers, who outscored the Scorpions, 28-16, in the pivotal third.

Karim Abdul struggled for just four points but came through with four blocks. 

Axl Garcia and Alvin Abundo scored 10 points apiece in the fourth for the Scorpions, who kept the game close in the last period.

Garcia finished with 22 points, Abundo added 17 points and Samboy de Leon had 12 points for CEU, which finished runner-up to St. Clare College-Caloocan in the NAASCU.

The scores:

UST-Pacific Pipes 91 – Mariano 23, Lo 13, Ferrer 12, Daquioag 11, Vigil 7, Sheriff 6, Gallardo 5, Abdul 4, Pe 4, Villar 3, Cruz 3, Javier 0, Lao 0.

CEU-Advance Solutions 83 – Garcia 22, Abundo 17, De Leon 12, Beldad 8, Batino 8, Gatchalian 5, Pagkatipunan 4, De la Cruz 3, Magbitang 3, Martinez 1. 

Quarterscores: 19-14, 37-31, 65-47, 91-83