University of Santo Tomas ended an almost decade of futility against Ateneo de Manila University with a decisive fourth-quarter performance, winning 74-64 on Wednesday evening in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Growling Tigers secured their first victory over the Blue Eagles since Season 78, when they won 68-58 on September 26, 2015.
That batch of Tigers had the likes of Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag, and Karim Abdul, and they also enjoyed a 2-0 start on their way to a championship stint.
The win snapped a 17-game losing streak, which included two losses in the Season 82 Finals.
UST now holds a 2-0 record, matching its win total from last season. Back then, the team finished with a 2-12 record at the bottom of the standings.
The Growling Tigers are now tied with defending champions De La Salle University Green Archers at the top of the eight-team field.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“It’s all about the players,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio, who became the first UST coach to defeat Ateneo under the leadership of Tab Baldwin.
Baldwin had previously gone undefeated against former UST coaches Boy Sablan, Aldin Ayo, Jinino Manansala, and Bal David.
“Sa akin, ano lang kami rito eh guidance lang kami sa mga players, ang players sila ang nagpanalo ng game. We started slow, nung first half mabibigat ‘yung paa eh,” he added.
“Basta naka-focus ‘yung team namin, well-prepared kami every game, saka breaks of the game din.”
The Blue Eagles began the fourth quarter with an 8-3 run, turning a 52-55 deficit into a 60-56 lead. However, this would be their last advantage.
The Growling Tigers responded with a 16-0 rally, driven by Mo Tounkara, Nic Cabañero, Mark Llemit, and Forthsky Padrigao, to build a 72-60 lead with two minutes remaining.
UST held Ateneo scoreless from the 8:10 mark of the fourth quarter until Sean Quitevis made two free throws at the one-minute mark.
“Nag-usap lang po kami nung halftime kasi nung first half, parang na-outhustle kami ng Ateneo, yung effort mas mataas po sa amin,” said Padrigao, a former Blue Eagle and now a co-captain of the Tigers, who contributed six points and nine assists.
He went on, “Kaya nung kinausap po kami ng coaches namin na doblehin ‘yung effort namin yun po yung ginawa namin.”
Malian center Tounkara was a key contributor with 16 points – 14 in the second half – and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, Gelo Crisostomo also had a standout game with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Nic Cabañero added 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Llemit chipped in 10 points.
UST will aim for its third consecutive win on Sunday against Adamson University at 3:30 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Ateneo, on the other hand, absorbed its second straight loss, falling to a 0-2 record – its first such start during Baldwin’s tenure.
Josh Lazaro led the Blue Eagles with 18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block, while Shawn Tuano added 13 points.
Rookie Kristian Porter also contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.
Ateneo will face long-time rival La Salle on Sunday at 6:30 PM.
The Scores:
UST 74 – Tounkara 16, Crisostomo 16, Cabañero 11, Llemit 10, Padrigao 6, Robinson 6, Paranada 5, Acido 3, Lane 1, Estacio 0, Manaytay 0, Pangilinan 0.
Ateneo 64 – Lazaro 18, Tuano 13, Porter 10, Espinosa 8, Quitevis 4, Ong 4, Bahay 3, Balogun 2, Espina 2, Bongo 0, Edu 0, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 18-19, 37-41, 55-52, 74-64
