University of Santo Tomas (UST) fended off a spirited fourth-quarter rally by the University of the East (UE) to secure a 76-67 win, solidifying its hold on fourth place in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
The Growling Tigers improved to a 6-7 record, moving a game ahead of fifth-seed Far Eastern University (5-8) while handing UE its third consecutive loss.
This dropped the Red Warriors to 6-6, holding onto third place but now just half a game ahead of UST.
UST’s victory also marked a historic elimination of Ateneo de Manila University from Final Four contention for the first time since Season 76 (2013).
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung mga players hindi bumigay until the end. Naging consistent kami. Siyempre meron ding run ang UE, pero kami naman, we’re focused – especially last two games namin kasi magdi-dictate ito kung makakapasok kami sa Final Four,” said Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio.
Despite trailing by as much as 27 points in the first half (14-41), the Red Warriors staged a relentless comeback attempt.
A pivotal moment unfolded at the 5:13 mark of the fourth quarter when Nigerian center Precious Momowei was ejected after receiving two unsportsmanlike fouls, sparking frustration among him and the UE camp.
Momowei’s first infraction came at the 5:18 mark of the second quarter when he inadvertently elbowed Mo Tounkara in the face, causing a nosebleed.
The second occurred when Momowei unintentionally struck Gelo Crisostomo’s right eye, resulting in bleeding.
This incident seemed to ignite UE’s rally as Jack Cruz-Dumont and Rainer Maga orchestrated a nine-point run, pulling the Red Warriors within five points at 64-69 with 2:48 remaining.
However, UST’s Nic Cabañero and Christian Manaytay countered with crucial baskets to secure the important win.
“I-absorb lang namin itong panalo na ito tapos kapag bukas, focus na kami sa next game namin. Hindi pa tapos ‘yung placing sa Final Four,” said Cabañero, who led UST with a personal season-high of 27 points, along with eight rebounds.
Crisostomo contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, while Manaytay added 10 points and seven rebounds to help UST complete their first elimination round sweep over UE since 2019.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST will conclude its elimination round campaign next Saturday against Adamson University at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, hoping to avenge a 13-point first-round loss.
Cruz-Dumont led UE with 19 points, while Wello Lingolingo and Devin Fikes added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Momowei finished with six points, 10 rebounds, and six turnovers.
The Scores:
UST 76 – Cabañero 27, Crisostomo 14, Manaytay 10, Padrigao 7, Tounkara 7, Danting 5, Paranada 3, Pangilinan 2, Llemit 1, Acido 0, Estacio 0.
UE 67 – J. Cruz-Dumont 19, Lingolingo 13, Fikes 12, Maga 9, Momowei 6, Wilson 3, Spandonis 3, Malaga 2, Galang 0, Abate 0, H. Cruz-Dumont 0, Mulingtapang 0.
Quarterscores: 22-11, 48-28, 60-45, 76-67
