UST Growling Tigers frustrate champion UP in Filoil Preseason play

University of Santo Tomas' strong start and even finer finish were more than enough to upend the University of the Philippines' rally in the middle periods on Monday at the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Behind a 16-0 blitz right after tip-off, the Growling Tigers scored a wire-to-wire 90-81 triumph over the Fighting Maroons to get back on track in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.

Gelo Crisostomo continued to impress with 24 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists, as skipper Nic Cabañero drilled 13 markers in UST's return to form in the tilt which has PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas as major sponsors.

Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger serve as minor sponsors.

Crisostomo dropped 13 in USTs strong start before the Fighting Maroons lived up to their name and battled back to just down five, 62-67, early in the final frame.

It was at that point, however, that Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao combined for 14 points as the Growling Tigers put a stop to UP’s uprising once and for all.

“Of course, it’s a big deal for us, kasi siyempre, defending champion (sila). We're just happy with the result and we're happy na nandito na si captain Cabañero,” said assistant coach Japs Cuan, speaking on behalf of shot-caller Pido Jarencio.

For UP, Nigerian center Francis Nnoruka fronted the attack with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Reyland Torres chipped in 12 markers of his own.

Already missing injured Gerry Abadiano and Rey Remogat, the Fighting Maroons also lost Harold Alarcon to ejection with 47 ticks to go. They suffered their second straight setback to fall to 2-2.

Over the NCAA bracket, Letran barged back into the winners' circle, as Lyceum finally earned a breakthrough win in three tries.