Thursday, July 22, 2010

UST outlasts Aboy Castro-less UP


This appears in the Friday July 23, 2010 edition of the Business Mirror.


UST outlasts Aboy Castro-less UP

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers ripped the hearts from the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in overtime 87-81 in the first game of the UAAP Season 73 double header at the Araneta Coliseum last Thursday, July 22, 2010.

The Maroons had a chance to seal the game in regulation with the score at 69-68 and Woody Co on the stripe with 6.2 seconds remaining. But the fifth-year forward missed both free throws and allowed UST to grab the rebound.


A Mike Silungan foul on Tiger Jeric Teng put him on the stripe but the second year guard could only tie the game at 69-all too send it into overtime.

In the extra period, the Maroons faltered while Tiger Aljon Mariano caught fire with 7 points of his 18 points. “Talon a, nabuhay pa,” exclaimed UST head coach Pido Jarencio of Co’s missed free throws. “Pero puso na talaga yan.”

UST’s Jeric Fortuna torched UP for a career-high 29 points including 8-10 from the three-point arc. The last guard to score 29 points in a game was La Salle Jayvee Casio who achieved that marked against UST in August 28, 2008.  The 16 triples made by UST were the most since Adamson pulled the trick against NU in September 27, 2006.

For UP, Magi Sison and Martin Reyes led the way with 19 points each while Mike Silungan added 16 and Alvin Padilla 10.

The game was nearly overshadowed by conspicuous absence of UP head coach Aboy Castro on the bench. According to Leilani Gonzalo, UP’s board representative to the UAAP, the third year coach sent a text last Wednesday saying that he was going to take a “Leave of Absence.” As such, the coaching duties would by handled by committee – Assistants Potit de Vera and Jerry Codinera and team consultant Boyet Fernandez. “Castro is still the head coach.”

Gonzalo declined to comment on whether Fernandez was a university appointee.

However, I learned from sources within State University that Castro as early as last Monday, two days after their 66-59 loss to Adamson, was asked to submit his resignation by the UP Alumni Association. Another source of conflict was the appointment of Fernandez that was not approved by the university. 


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I thought it was comical how Ms. Gonzalo and Jerry Codinera gave conflicting answers. It was announced that Potit de Vera is the coach but in the huddle it was Boyet Fernandez calling the shots. Something that Chancellor Cao as against -- simply because they were not informed of Fernandez' inclusion. Well, Jerry said it, he's the coach. At least until the next few days when they sort this out.

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