UST escapes Adamson, advances in UAAP juniors basketball

MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs are right where they projected to be… in the Final Four of the UAAP Juniors Basketball Tournament.

 

CJ Cansino scored eight points in overtime while Kobe Palencia added four of his own to tow UST to a 73-72 win over the hard-luck Adamson Baby Falcons.

 

The Baby Falcons had a chance to win the game outright, but Didat Hanapi’s undergoal stab came a split second too late as UST celebrated wildly on the court of the Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

 

It was a closely fought match with nine deadlocks and nine lead changes. The Tiger Cubs had a chance to win it in regulation but Cansino’s 3-point attempt from the left corner pocket was short. Regulation ended with a score of 63-all.

 

However, once in overtime, Cansino made sure to attack the basket.

 

“Right now nasa Cloud (Nine) tayo,” enthused UST head coach Chris Cantonjos. “From the start nakita niyo palitan ng score but nakita niyo yung puso ng mga bata. Konting adjustment kami from defense to offense. Nakita niyo kahit pa lay-up five guys would go down. We earned our respect for this game.”

 

Cansino, the juniors division’s uncrowned Most Valuable Player, collected 24 points nine rebounds and six assists in an incredible battle with Adamson’s sensational Joem Sabandal, who tallied 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

 

“Expect na natin yan,” said Cantonjos of his prized swingman. “Ikaw yung MVP, ikaw yung mag-take charge.”

 

Kobe Palencia came off the bench to score 15 points while center Bismarck Lina played an incredible match on both ends of the court before fouling out deep into overtime. Lina put a double double of 12 points and 12 rebounds to go with one block. Of the players who went up against him, only one scored from the inside.

 

"Nung start ng tournament, alam namin na kaya namin  makapag-Final Four. So na-fulfill lang yung goal namin. Ngayon laban na lang kung saan tayo aabutin," concluded Cantonjos of his team's effort.

 

UST now faces Far Eastern University in the next round of the step-ladder format at 10 a.m. this Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym.