Duncil leads UST over UE; forces sudden death.

The University of Sto. Tomas (UST) lived to fight another day as they blemished the previously unbeaten University of the East (UE) 83-62 and extend their semifinal series to sudden death in the Pinoyliga Cup Division A 40 and up, Saturday afternoon at the Gatorade Hoops Center.

Jojo Duncil led UST with 28 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals to claim the Player of the Game honor.

UE, after sweeping the eliminations, had a twice-to-beat advantage in the series but failed to eliminate UST in one game due to a horrible first half.

UST controlled the first half as UE fired bricks. After a close first quarter when UST led 20-15, UE was limited to just 9 points in the second quarter, making just 2 of 7 shots while allowing the Espana-based squad to generate 21 points. UST also shot 51.7% from the field in the first half which contributed to UE’s downfall. UST led 41-24 at the half.

It became a shootout in the third quarter as Ronald Tubid scored 8 of his 21 points in the quarter to help UE come closer but Jojo Duncil had 14 of his own to keep UE away. UST still led by double-digit after third at 61-43.

UST continued their fluid offensive game in the fourth quarter as they shot 8/13 from the field while holding UE to just 7/18. BJ Chiu had 12 points for UST in the quarter to seal the deal and extend the series to a winner take all game.

Chiu, Richard Yee, and Derick Hubalde all had 12 points for UST to support Duncil. Ronald Tubid led UE with 21 points 11 rebounds and 2 assists.

The winner-take-all match between the two teams is slated on Saturday, September 24 at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.

UST 83 - Duncil 28, Yee 12, Hubalde 12, Chiu 12, David 8, Villamin 4, Del Rosario 3, Limoanco 2, Dytiandu 2, Ong 0, Javier 0. 

UE 62 - Tubid 21, Guingab 17, B. Lim 10, Artadi 6, Zuniga 3, Mandalano 3, Conde 2, Ortega 0, Butil 0, D. Lim 0, Juangco 0, Corbin 0, Baquiran 0, Reyes 0, Cruz 0.