By: Joaquin Cortez
Mark Llemit delivered a career-high 33 points, but his finest scoring night in the collegiate ranks ended in heartbreak as University of Santo Tomas fell to University of the Philippines, 101-103, in double overtime on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Llemit shot 10-of-19 from the field, but his stellar performance went unrewarded as the Growling Tigers twice rallied from huge deficits to force extra periods before ultimately coming up short.
The defeat snapped UST’s two-game winning streak and dropped the Growling Tigers to a share of fifth place with De La Salle University at 4-4 as they opened their second-round campaign.
“Wala akong masabi. Thankful na lang ako na lahat ng shots ko kanina ay pumapasok. Nakakalungkot lang kasi talo, so siguro bawi na lang next game,” Llemit said.
UST erased an eight-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation, trailing 84-76 with 1:57 remaining before unleashing a 10-2 run to force overtime.
The Growling Tigers then overcame another seven-point deficit in the first extra period, rallying from 96-89 with 1:32 left to extend the contest to a second overtime.
Still, UST had one final chance to steal the victory. UP’s Noy Remogat missed two attempts on the other end, giving the Growling Tigers possession with 14 seconds remaining.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Rookie Kirk Cañete took charge of the crucial possession and drove to the basket against Remogat. However, the graduating guard from Cavite stayed in front to force a missed layup, allowing the Fighting Maroons to preserve their lead.
Despite the costly miss, Llemit stood by Cañete’s decision to take the final shot, emphasizing that the play was part of the team’s game plan.
“Wala naman kaming question doon. Support kami sa ginawa ni Kirk. Nasa game plan kasi namin ‘yun,” he said.
“Support namin kami sa ginawa niya, kaya nga lang naabutan at na-block.”
Llemit also recalled a costly sequence with 1:32 remaining in the second overtime, when contact from Sean Alter caused him to lose possession. Pre capitalized on the turnover with an open fastbreak layup that put UP ahead, 102-98.
The third-year forward acknowledged being hit in the mouth during the play but said there was little the team could do about the non-call.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“’Yung last play, natamaan ako sa bibig, so ‘di tinawagan. Wala kaming magagawa pero okay naman,” he said.
Despite the painful defeat, Llemit said head coach Pido Jarencio refrained from singling out any player in his postgame message. He instead reminded the Growling Tigers that they still had time to recover in the second round.
“Walang finger-pointing kasi di kami matatapos nang ganito. May mga remaining games pa, mababawi pa at bounce back,” he said.
UST had its bench outscored by UP’s reserves, 43-23, but Llemit maintained his trust in his teammates and the coaching staff, expressing appreciation for those who stepped up despite the loss.
“’Yung bench naman, tiwala naman lalo na ako, and ‘yung coaches, tiwala sa lahat. Thankful din nag-step up ‘yung iba and ‘yun na nga, kinapos lang talaga sa dulo,” he said.
Looking ahead, Llemit said the Growling Tigers must review their mistakes and make the necessary adjustments to bounce back in their next game.
“Siguro titingnan na lang namin ‘yung game kanina and pag-aralan namin ‘yung mga lapses namin,” he said.
“Bawi na lang kami next game.”
