Tigers suffer third defeat; lose to Archers in an overtime

UST Growling Tigers lose a bitter defeat when they were beaten by De La Salle Green Archers in an overtime, 90-86, during the 1st round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) senior men’s basketball at the Araneta Coliseum last July 29.

The Tigers started out with the big advantage, as Dylan Ababou was unstoppable, scoring 10 of their 16 baskets, closing the 1st quarter with a six point lead against the Archers.

The first half did make the Thomasian crowd proud, as Espana-based players ending it 38-28, with baskets from Francis Allera, and rookie Khasim Mirza. Jervy Cruz’ rebounds played a major part in their game, and good defense prevented the Taft boys in scoring.

Things started to turn around in the beginning of the 3rd quarter as Archers TY Tang , PJ Walsham and James Mangahas shot hoops, creating a dreadlock, 40-all, after a consecutive fouls from Tigers Japs Cuan, Anthony Espiritu and Mirza.

The Archer’s first lead from the Tigers 43-45, however, came from a free throw by A Ferdinand, who was sent into the charity stripe by a foul from Espiritu, but was shortly redeemed after Espiritu shot a two-point. The third quarter ended with 62-60.

Oliver Cua welcomed the final quarter by shooting for the Archers, creating another dreadlock, 62-all. Tang erupted with baskets, causing a panic in the Tiger’s dwelling, giving the Archers a 3-point lead, 74-77 with about two minutes left.

However, with two minutes left in the 4th quarter, Ababou shot two crucial baskets, and was fouled by Walsham, sending the 3rd year Tiger into the charity stripe. Crowds gone wild as Ababou shot the bonus shot, locking the game 77-all with less than a minute left in the ball.

And with 6.4 seconds left in the 4th quarter, Cruz shot a two-point basket 79-77, challenging the Archer, in which Coach Franz Pumaren called for an important timeout.

Jvee Casio answered the Tigers with a very crucial buzzer beater, 79-all, bring the game into an overtime.In the overtime, however, after Cuan was fouled out of the game, Tiger’s defense weakened, allowing Archers to take the opportunity, creating up to a 6-point lead, the biggest of Archers’ in the whole game, with less than two minutes on the game.

Tiger’s became nervous, and practically gave away the game with number of errors and turnovers while the Archers took advantage of the time.

The Tigers now has a 3-3 win-loss record and the Archers, 4-2