Forthsky Padrigao drained the go-ahead basket as the University of Santo Tomas returned to its winning ways, escaping National University, 67-64, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
The Growling Tigers faced a 53-60 deficit midway through the final quarter but rallied back with clutch performances from Nic Cabañero, Padrigao, and Mo Tounkara.
Cabañero ignited the comeback with a key bucket, followed by Tounkara, who scored four consecutive points to shift the momentum.
Padrigao then drove in for a crucial two-pointer, giving UST a narrow lead at 61-60.
After a free throw by Steve Nash Enriquez, Cabañero nailed a significant three-pointer to extend UST’s lead to 64-61.
However, Jolo Manansala quickly answered with an off-the-bank three, tying the game at 64 with just 1:31 remaining.
With the game on the line, Padrigao seized the moment.
After a switch left him matched up against 6-foot-5 Kenshin Padrones, he executed a smooth step-back move. Then he sank a long two-pointer to give UST a 66-64 advantage with 29 seconds left.
In the following possession, Jake Figueroa had two opportunities in the paint but missed both shots.
Padrigao then sealed the victory by splitting his free throws, securing UST’s solo third spot with a 3-1 record.
“Against NU, naging aggressive ‘yung mga bata; the will to win nandoon. Basta kami, a win is a win – two points, three points, one point,” said Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio.
“This is a total team effort, lahat nagtulungan.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The game also highlighted UST’s big men, with Tounkara contributing a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Christian Manaytay added 14 points and five rebounds.
Cabañero also chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds.
Padrigao, who finished with eight points, five assists, and three rebounds, said on his game-winning shot: “Nagkataon lang din talaga siguro kasi [a] few possessions back, talagang nagki-create ako para sa teammates ko.
“And then come ‘yung last possession na ‘yun, bigla sila nag-switch, so ginawa ko lang ‘yung right thing and thank you Lord pumasok ‘yung tira ko.”
Looking ahead, UST will have a lengthy rest before returning to the court on September 29 against the defending champion De La Salle University, also at the Big Dome.
“The will to win, nandoon. This is a total team effort. I hope we sustain this,” Jarencio added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other side, Enriquez led the struggling Bulldogs with 17 points, five assists, and three rebounds, as NU sank to 1-3, placing sixth in the standings.
Figueroa contributed 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting but his late misses proved costly.
NU will look to bounce back on Wednesday against Adamson University, also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
UST 67 – Tounkara 15, Manaytay 14, Cabañero 10, Padrigao 8, Acido 5, Crisostomo 5, Paranada 4, Estacio 3, Pangilinan 3, Llemit 0, Robinson 0.
NU 64 – Enriquez 17, Figueroa 11, Lim 8, Padrones 6, Manansala 6, Perciano 6, Jumamoy 5, Garcia 3, Palacielo 2, Yu 0, Santiago 0, Francisco 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 16-16, 32-34, 48-52, 67-64.
