A career game and a sensational all-around performance collided to make UAAP history on Sunday.
The masterful showing of Marvin Lee and CJ Cansino defined the UST Growling Tigers' inspiring 79-68 win over the UE Red Warriors in UAAP Season 81.
Lee was a deadeye from beyond the arc en route to his best game as a Growling Tiger with 30 points anchored on eight 3-pointers. The fourth-year guard already had 22 to his name by halftime as he hit five triples in the second period alone. In one sequence, he was unconscious and hit three consecutive shots from downtown.
"I was able to show my game today," said the soft-spoken Lee. "I just followed the system."
Cansino meanwhile played well beyond his years as he recorded the league's first triple-double from a rookie since 2003 with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists.
"I'm happy that I got the triple-double, but I just followed the system," Cansino humbly said.
What made Cansino's performance even more impressive was that he was hobbled with an apparent ankle sprain for nearly the entire second half. He got hurt on a drive towards the second quarter and then went down again towards the end of the third. He fought through it and eventually got the triple-double when he assisted to a cutting Zach Huang with 51 seconds left in the contest.
The firepower of Lee and Cansino simply overwhelmed the Red Warriors and gave the Tigers its fifth win of the season.
Alvin Pasaol was once again UE's leading scorer with 26 points on 11-for-24 shooting while adding seven rebounds. He had help from Philip Manalang who had 15 points and eight assists and Chris Conner's 12-point, 7-rebound game. Unfortunately, the Red Warriors could not save themselves from suffering their sixth straight defeat, and 10th overall.
"We played well. We adjusted well on their offense especially after the first quarter," UST coach Aldin Ayo said. "We just played defense. For us, everything starts with defense."
THE SCORES
UST 79 -- Lee 30, Cansino 20, Huang 14, Bataller 4, Bonleon 4, Caunan 2, Agustin 2, Mahinay 2, Zamora 1, Marcos 0.
UE 68 -- Pasaol 26, Manalang 15, Conner 12, Bartolome 6, Varilla 4, Strait 3, Lacap 2, Guion 0, Beltran 0, Cullar 0, Gallardo 0.
Quarters: 17-19, 39-33, 59-49, 79-68.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
Renzo Subido was inactive on Sunday's game due to swelling on his left ankle. According to Ayo, his prognosis is still not sure and will undergo an MRI on Monday.
Cansino's triple-double came just a week after Juan Gomez De Liaño's. Before this season, the last player who notched the feat was Marvin Cruz for UP back in 2006.
NEXT GAMES
UST - Nov. 3 (Sat) vs DLSU Green Archers at Ynares Antipolo
UE - Nov. 4 (Sun) vs FEU Tamaraws at Ynares Antipolo