Clutch Mariano powers UST past SSC-R

MANILA, Philippines — Aljon Mariano took over in the final period, scoring 13 of his 23 points to tow the depleted UST Growling Tigers to an 83-79 victory over the SSC-R Stags in the 2013 FilOil Flying V Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

UST led comfortably in the first half with Clark Bautista connecting on three triples in the second period. But San Sebastian exploded for 31 points in the third quarter, anchored on CJ Perez’s assault to take the lead, 59-58.

In the fourth period, both teams exchanged baskets until Stags center Mark Tano was assessed with an unsportsmanlike foul for hitting Kevin Ferrer in the final 90 seconds of the game. Ferrer converted on two free throws before Mariano made two go-ahead baskets to push the UST lead to 83-75.

Aljon Mariano led the Growling Tigers with 23 points while Clark Bautista added 12, all coming from three-point range. CJ Perez carried the load for the Stags with a game-high 24.

Despite the win, UST head coach Pido Jarencio admitted that the Tigers played a sub-par performance.

“We are seldom complete during practice because some of my players also play in the [PBA] D-League,” he quipped. “Some are already tired due to the D-League so we cannot really force them to give all out during training.”

Jarencio remains positive that UST will be able to show better than this game.

“Hopefully by the end of May, we’ll be complete and perform better,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tano will serve a one-game suspension for having accrued two unsportsmanlike fouls in the game. – Rappler.com