UE Warriors edge UST Tigers in UAAP

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the East Warriors played tough defense down the stretch to pull off a 78-73 win over the Tigers of the Univesity of Santo Tomas in Saturday’s second game of the 71st University Athletics Association of the Philippines season at the Araneta Coliseum. “We played good defense. Even though we were small my boys played aggressive and tough defense," said UE coach Dindo Pumaren, who is trying to erase last year’s nightmarish finals campaign against the De La Salle Green Archers. The Warriors nearly wasted a 12-point third quarter lead and let the Tigers slowly come back from the game. The Tigers nearly pulled off a come-from-behind win when they held the Warriors to a single field goal for more than five minutes in the final period. Veteran Elmer Espiritu saved the Warriors cause down the stretch scoring seven straight points in a closing 9-4 rally to foil the Tigers upset bid. Espiritu scored a team-high 15 points to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Warriors while also grabbing nine rebounds. Espiritu got plenty of help from Hans Thiele and guards Marcy Arellano and James Martinez who finished with 13, 11, and 10 each. Arellano also had seven rebounds and seven assists. Jervy Cruz, playing with a hamstring injury, paced the Tigers with 26 points and 22 rebounds 12 of which coming in the offensive end. Dylan Ababou backed him up with 15 points while Chester Taylor chipped in 10 more for the Tigers. -GMANews.TV