Ronald Tubid’s double-double lifts UE over UST to enter Pinoyliga Cup Finals

The University of the East Red Warriors (UE) dominated the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers (UST), 83-65 to secure their seat in the Pinoyliga Cup Division A 40 and Up Finals, Saturday afternoon.

Ronald Tubid flexed his muscles and finished with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds for UE, who had a twice-to-beat advantage in the series but failed to capitalize on it in their first game. But this time, the UE alumnus dubbed as “The Fearless” was all-business, especially in the second half.

It was a neck-to-neck battle in the first quarter as both teams trade baskets after baskets. Derick Hubalde had 5 points in the first quarter for UST but Alvin Zuniga had his own 6 points for UE to help them build a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 17-15.

UE started to pull away in the second quarter behind Tubid, Bonbon Custodio, and Raymund Soto. The trio scored all of UE’s 18 points in the quarter while limiting UST to just 12 points. UE led at halftime, 35-27.

UE gradually increased the margin after the break. Tubid, Custodio, and Randie Guingab led the third-quarter UE storm when they made 12/20 (60%) field goals while limiting UST to just 5/16 (31%). UE outscored UST 29-14 in the third to widen the gap to 64-41 entering the final period.

Ingle Kaw and Allen Javier tried to rally UST to a comeback but UE had answers to every UST attack. Tubid and Custodio once again provided the finishing touches to lead UE to the finals.

Bonbon Custodio also registered 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists for UE with Randie Guingab the other double-digit scorer with 10 points.

Richard Yee and Derick Hubalde had 11 and 10 points, respectively for UST, who only got 2 points from Jojo Duncil, a far cry from his 28-point outburst in Game 1.

UE 83 - Tubid 25, Custodio 20, Guingab 10, Artadi 9, Zuniga 8, Soto 6, Corbin 5, Ortega 0, Figueroa 0, B. Lim 0, Cruz 0, Tabas 0, Gamboa 0, Conde 0, Butil 0, D. Lim 0, Juangco 0.
UST 65 - Yee 11, Hubalde 10, Kaw 9, David 7, Sanz 7, Javier 6, Chiu 4, Del Rosario 3, Duncil 2, Dytiandu 2, Roxas 2, Limoanco 2, Agleron 0.