Maroons wallop Scorpions in Fr. Martin cagefest

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines Maroons, the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs and the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws came up with big wins last Sunday in the 20th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College campus in Manila.

Dave Moralde and JR Gallarza struck hard for the University of the Philippines as they whipped the Centro Escolar University-Malolos Scorpions, 94-64,

Brian Lacap scored a crucial three-point play in the 16 seconds to power the UST Tiger Cubs to a 70-67 beating of the San Beda-B Red Cubs in Group A of the junior division.

Robin Castelltort shot 15 points for the FEU Baby Tamaraws, who outplayed the EAC-ICA Brigadiers, 88-60, in the Group B of the other secondary encounter.

Moralde dished out 23 points while Gallarza fired 18 for the Maroons, who marched to their third win in four games, and they stayed in contention for quarterfinals seat, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

It was their second consecutive win in Group A, and it came after they upended the National University-B Bulldogs,81-80, in overtime last week.

In that game, Diego Dario sank two free throws in the last 14.2 seconds to bail the Maroons out of trouble.

Charities from Gallarza in the last two minutes allowed the Maroons to cap a big scoring run and a 47-36 halftime edge.

Clark Ballada and RJ Baquial made 12 points each for the Tiger Cubs.

Meanwhile, the UST Tigers won by default over the San Sebastian Stags in their senior encounter, and so did the San Beda Red Lions in their clash with the FEU Tamaraws.