UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas was victorious in the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) National Heroes’ Day offering on Monday after it triumphed over Arellano University 93-88 to stay perfect in Group B.
The Tiger Cubs won their second outing in as many games at the Aero Center in Quezon City with Racine Kane serving as the hero for UST, putting up a massive 26-point, 20-rebound performance on top of three steals to be named as the World Balance Player of the Game.
“I’m happy to be here, [and with my performance], it is because we have a great system.
But in the first half, we thought the game was easy. In the second half, we just said that we got to play hard,” Kane said, pointing out how the Braves stormed back in the last 17 minutes of gameplay after trailing by as big as 23, 37-60.
Arellano, through the efforts of Jax Distrito, John Mendoza, Chris Dy, and Alonzo Austria got to within 10, 60-50, in a span of three minutes to stay within hunt of their second win in the NGBL that is presented by URATEX, Jollibee, Strong Group Athletics, and in partnership with JETOUR, World Balance, and Molten as official game ball.
AU even got to as close as one, 76-75, after Sean Kionel Franco hit a trey at the 5:45 mark of the final canto, but unfortunately for them, it was the nearest that they could get as Kane and Liam Acido went on to pick up the slack for UST to rebuild a nine-point cushion following a triple by the former at the 3:33 mark.
Johnray Ladica headed the charge for Arellano with 23 points, five rebounds, and two steals in the league that is supported by Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas as official league outfitter, RICA UPVC Aluminum Glass and Trading Corp., Verleo Catering as official caterer, and Tanduay Athletics, but it went for naught as they absorbed their second defeat in three games.
On the other hand, to open the third and last day of the NGBL’s long weekend offerings, Lyceum reset the league’s highest scoring record so far after it defeated MGC New Life Christian Academy 105-46.
The Junior Pirates moved up to 1-1 in Group B after they led by as much as 60, but for WB Player of the Game Lamarcus Pelayo, it was their defense that made wonders for them.
“Yung depensa po namin ang sinasabi ni coach na importante para manalo kami,” said Pelayo, who had 12 points, six rebounds, three steals, and an assist in yesterday’s second game of the league that is also supported by MET Food Corporation, official hydration partners Gatorade & Summit Natural Drinking Water, Converge as official internet provider, and Crocs.
“Tapos sa susunod, kailangan po naming trabahuhin pa ulit yung depensa, box out, and opensa para manalo ulit kami,” he added.
And while MGC remained winless in three games, for their part, some of the few bright spots for them were Adrian Tan who top scored with 15, and Trey Chua and Adam Uy who had 11 and 10, respectively.
To close out the day, Perpetual Help dominated Xavier School 94-48
