Basibas sparks UST in win over UP

MANILA, Philippines – Entering Wednesday, August 27, rookie Reggie Basibas had scored a grand total of two points in his UAAP career.

But once he got an opportunity to showcase his capabilities, he made sure to not disappoint.

Basibas finished with a career-high 16 points and hauled down 18 rebounds, while Karim Abdul finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds as the UST Growling Tigers pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the UP Fighting Maroons, 77-65, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was the second victory for UST in the second round. They now stand at 5-5, in Season 77 against UP, which fell to 1-9.

Aljon Mariano recorded 13 markers and 5 boards, while Louie Vigil put up 11 markers for the Growling Tigers, which played without Kevin Ferrer (fractured hand) and Ed Daquioag (sprained ankle).

“Reggie boy, nag step-up siya,” quipped UST head coach Bong Dela Cruz after the game. “Athletic si Basibas, so yung basketball skills niya mataas,” he added about the product from Leyte.

(Reggie Boy stepped up. He’s athletic, so he has good basketball skills.)

UST freshman Renzo Subido pitched in 7 points and 5 assists, making up for John Sheriff, who fouled out early in the fourth quarter.

“Si Kevin Ferrer, hindi ko pa alam kung kailan siya babalik,” Dela Cruz admitted in the post-game media session.

(I don’t know when Kevin Ferrer will return.)

UST will look to win their second straight game when they take on Ateneo on Saturday, August 30.

“Kailangan manalo na kami every game,” Dela Cruz said as his team’s final four hopes hangs in the balance. “Basta we work hard. Kailangan yung puso nandoon.”

(We need to win every game from here on out. We just need to work hard. Our heart has to be there.)

Prior to the end of a third quarter, a long-range heave by Mariano hit nothing but net to erase UP’s lead and placed UST ahead by one, 54-53.

The Growling Tigers continued to connect from all cylinders to start the fourth period, using a pair of jumpers by Mariano and Subido to extend their lead. Moments later, a corner 3-ball by Basibas placed UST ahead by nine, 63-54.

With under three minutes left and the Fighting Maroons trailing by 8, Diego Dario earned a trip to the free throw line where he split his charities. On the next play, Basibas followed up an Abdul miss to make the count 69-60.

The Growling Tigers didn’t look back and went on to improve their record to .500.

Late in the first quarter, UP head coach Rey Madrid was called for a technical foul for entering the playing court during play while screaming barbs at one of the game’s officials.

Madrid, furious over a non-call on UP’s prior possession, continued his outburst at the referee, prompting the latter to call a second technical foul that automatically kicked the UP head coach out of the basketball game and playing vicinity.

Following Madrid’s ejection, the Fighting Maroons unleashed a 7-0 run to get within two, 20-18, in the opening minutes of the second period. Both teams then proceeded to exchange baskets, with UP regaining the lead, 26-25, not long after.

The Madrid-less UP was led by Miguel Reyes’ 22 points and 3 dimes. Moriah Gingerich, meanwhile, had 9 points and 4 rebounds.

UST shot 40% from the field, while UP made just 30% of their attempts. The Growling Tigers also dominated the Fighting Maroons on the boards, pulling down 58 to UP’s 38. UST also got a lot of their scoring in the paint, registering 30 inside points compared to only 18 for UP.

UST got off to a good start thanks to the combined efforts of Vigil and Sheriff, who scored eight of their team’s first 11 points to help establish a seven-point lead.

But thanks to the energy provided by Basibas and Alfren Gayosa off the bench, UST re-took the lead by going on an 11-3 run to end the first half, 36-29.

Scores:

UST (77): Abdul 21, Basibas 16, Mariano 13, Vigil 11, Subido 7, Sheriff 4, Lo 2, Gayosa 2, Lao 1, Pe 0, Dela Cruz 0

UP (65): Reyes 22, Gingerich 9, Dario 9, Vito 8, Gallarza 7, Moralde 4, Lao 3, Juruena 3, Asilum 0, Amar 0, Harris 0, Bederi 0

Quarter Scores: 20-11, 36-29, 54-53, 76-65

– Rappler.com