Playing on the opponent’s home court, Ateneo de Manila University looked comfortable, defeating University of Santo Tomas, 67-64, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday.
Down by just two with 16 seconds left, UST had a chance to tie the game or even take the lead. However, Forthsky Padrigao’s inbound pass to Nic Cabañero was telegraphed by Sean Quitevis.
The steal led to a fastbreak layup and a 66-62 lead for Ateneo with 11.7 seconds remaining.
Kyle Paranada cut the deficit to two again for the Growling Tigers with a layup with 7.3 seconds left, but Ian Espinosa split his free throws on the other end, extending the Blue Eagles’ lead to three points.
With one last chance to even the score, UST was unable to attempt a shot as Christian Manaytay was stripped of the ball as time expired.
“I’m glad you bring that up. I don’t know when was the last time in the UAAP you had to play a road game… It was a mystery to us why that happened, but it did, and what it required of us was to really gut it out,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
“I think this was one of the gutsiest wins we’ve had in a few years.”
With their second straight win, the Blue Eagles now hold a 3-6 record, continuing their climb toward the top four. They are currently tied with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at sixth.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Andrew Bongo top-scored for Ateneo with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Espinosa contributed 11 points and six rebounds, finishing with a plus-17 in his 21 minutes on the floor.
“Entering the second round, I told the rookies and the team, moving on to the second round, wala nang rookies-rookies. Alam na natin yung experience ng UAAP, so dapat alam na natin kung paano maging composed kasi, knowing, nung first round, nawawala kami sa mga crucial na situation,” said Espinosa.
Chris Koon and Shawn Tuano added 10 points apiece in the victory.
Ateneo aims for a third consecutive win on Wednesday against Adamson University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, the Growling Tigers continued their slump, losing their third straight game and dropping to 4-6.
Cabañero led all scorers with 18 points, but Baldwin expressed satisfaction with his team’s defense, which held UST’s main gunner to 5-of-16 shooting from the field.
Manaytay was the only other double-digit scorer for the Tigers with 11 points, while Padrigao and Leland Estacio added eight each.
Mo Tounkara served his one-game suspension in this game.
UST will look to end its skid on October 27 against Far Eastern University, also at the bayside Pasay venue.
The Scores:
Ateneo 67 – Bongo 14, Espinosa 11, Koon 10, Tuano 10 Balogun 9, Bahay 8, Porter 3, Quitevis 2, Edu 0, Lazaro 0, Espina 0.
UST 64 – Cabañero 18, Manaytay 11, Padrigao 8, Estacio 8, Paranada 6, Laure 6, Crisostomo 5, Robinson 2, Pangilinan 0, Danting 0, Llemit 0, Acido 0, Mahmood 0.
Quarterscores: 17-8, 33-25, 48-41, 67-64
