Batang Gilas standout Bismarck Lina joined two other big men in creating scoring opportunities for the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs on Saturday at the Arena in San Juan.
The 6’4 Lina's efforts in the middle, along with that of top scorer John Cansino and Jezreel Vilapando, propelled the Tigers Cubs to a 78-69 beating of the Adamson Baby Falcons.
With their second straight win, the Tiger Cubs stayed in the lead with three others in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines Junior Basketball tournament.
“OK naman. Nagawa ko iyung part ko. Sinamahan ko si Cansino sa middle,” said 16-year old Lina, who made nine points and 16 rebounds.
With the Baby Falcons close by, 57-59, Lina took possession of the ball for UST following Adrian Manlapaz’s miss.
From there, UST moved away from Rhayjhun Baquial’s putback, another off Vince Dolendo’s attack in the last 6:39.
The Tiger Cubs, with Cansino shooting a game-high 26 points and making 21 boards and Kobe Palencia eking out 17, went on to protect a 6-point edge, 63-57, in the remaining time.
“Hindi na sila nakabulusok sa fourth quarter. That’s because of the defense of the bigs sa gitna. Naka-stop sila,” said Tiger Cubs coach Christopher Cantonjos.
In other games, Michael Malonzo and Rhayyan Amsali led seven players in double figures with 14 points apiece as the NU Bullpups overpowered De La Salle-Zobel, 94-61.
Jason Credo had 14 points while Dave Ildefonso and SJ Belangel each had 12 markers as Ateneo rout UP Integrated School, 78-58.
Xyrus Torres struck with 18 points as the Baby Tams waylaid University of the East, 86-68.
Games Sunday
(The Arena in San Juan)
9 a.m. Ateneo vs FEU
11 a.m. Adamson vs La Salle Zobel
1 p.m. NU vs UST
3 p.m. UPIS vs UE
Box scores:
First Game
UST (78) –- Cansino 26, Palencia 17, Lina 9, Villapando 7, Relucio 6, Dolendo 6, Baquial 4, Co 2, Narvasa 1, Manabat 0, Esplana, Anunciacion 0.
Adamson (69) – Sabandal 11, Doria An. 10, Doria Ad. 9, Manlapaz 8, Hanapi 6, Canoy 6, Baculio 5, Prodigo 4, Sevilla 4, Perez 4, Engbino 2, Santos 0, Padilla 0.
Quarter scores: 13-22; 32-34; 55-52; 78-69.
Second Game
NU (94) –- Malonzo 14, Amsali 14, Manalang 11, Fortea 11, Oczon 11, Gonzalez 10, Coyoca 10, Javillonar 4, Pangilinan 4, Minerva 3, Vinoya 2, Pradella 0, Dayrit 0.
DLS-Z (61) –- Cortez 16, Calimag 16, Terrado 7, Santos 6, Carlos 5, Consejo 4, Buncayo 3, Damiles 2, Chavez 2, Escandor 0, Udal 0, Favis 0, Vesagas 0, Pascual 0, Barcuma 0.
Quarter scores: 24-20; 50-30; 73-53; 94-61.
Third game
Ateneo (78) –- Credo 18, Ildefonso 12, Belangel 12, Sotto 11, Chiu 7, Manuel 6, Escalona 4, Angeles 3, David 2, Gusi 2, Tanedo 1, Diaz 0, Lopa 0, Jaymalin 0, Ong 0.
UPIS (58) –- Santiago 17, Labao Raf. 11, Gregorio 7, Tupaz 6, Labao Jo. 6, Villareal 5, Estrera 3, Gomez de Liano 3, Vergeire 0.
Quarter scores: 18-17; 44-28; 59-40; 78-58.
Fourth game
FEU (86) –- Torres 15, Abarrientos 12, Celso 12, Tolentico 10, Alforque 10, Bautista 7, Armendez 7, Sajonia 5, Boc 4, Gonzales 2, Barasi 2, Ona 0, Mariano 0, Libago 0, Escarda 0.
UE (68) –- Miranda 13, Dichoso 12, Angeles 11, Dulalia 11, Vinte 10, Tajonera 6, Almacen 4, Policarpio 1, Encelan 0, Lopez 0, Villarta 0, Santos 0, Varon 0.
Quarter scores: 19-13; 42-28; 61-41; 86-68.
