Ateneo de Manila University may have had the home-court advantage, but University of Santo Tomas crashed — and ultimately owned — the party in the first-ever triple-overtime game in the Final Four Era of the UAAP Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
UST spoiled Ateneo’s homecoming at the newly renovated Blue Eagle Gym with a 98-89 victory in triple overtime on Saturday.
Fighting a depleted Blue Eagles squad in the third OT — with Divine Adili fouled out, Kymani Ladi battling cramps, and Jared Bahay nursing a shoulder injury — the Growling Tigers pounced.
With the win, UST moved into a tie with National University for first place at 4-1. Meanwhile, Ateneo fell to 4-2, wrapping up a grueling three-game stretch that began with a rivalry victory over De La Salle and featured a loss to defending champion UP last Wednesday.
It was the league’s first men’s doubleheader at the iconic Katipunan venue in 20 years, and the Growling Tigers-Blue Eagles clash was witnessed by 5,373 fans.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Triple overtime, throw away the numbers. It was all heart for both teams. Both teams were going down already because of fatigue and cramps, but we fought all the way,” said UST assistant coach Juno Sauler, who sat in for head coach Pido Jarencio.
“No one wanted to go out. So it boiled down to that last quarter, and between the two, we made more shots.”
Collins Akowe struck first, followed by Nic Cabañero’s and-one, which also fouled out Dominic Escobar. Mark Llemit then drove to the basket before Akowe scored again with 2:17 left, giving UST a nine-point lead at 94-85.
Cabañero led four UST players in double digits with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while former Atenean Forthsky Padrigao added 20 points in the place he once called home.
“Ayun nga, may advantage sila dahil home court nila, pero hindi namin inisip yun eh. Home court namin or home court nila, ang iniisip lang talaga namin is kayang-kaya namin manalo for this game. Hindi naman mangyayari yun kundi dahil sa tiwala ng every coaches and players,” said Cabañero.
Akowe played 51 minutes and three seconds, delivering 20 points, 19 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.
Gelo Crisostomo also had a career-best performance, tallying 18 points and 17 rebounds, including crucial baskets that extended the game to three extra periods.
Owner of back-to-back wins, UST will aim for its third straight on Wednesday against Far Eastern University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo faltered for the second straight game, dropping to 4-2 and solo third place.
Shooting just 1-of-11 from the field in regulation, Bahay redeemed himself with clutch shots in overtime. He finished with a team-high 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting, along with six assists, three rebounds, and two steals — but could not play in the third OT due to his shoulder injury.
Ladi added 14 points and nine rebounds but shot 4-of-21, while Escobar finished with 13 points, 20 rebounds, and five steals.
Shawn Tuano also contributed 12 points, while Adili, who fouled out with 2:54 left in the second OT, posted 10 points and 17 rebounds.
Ateneo had multiple scoring opportunities but went 33-of-118 from the field for just 28.0 percent, while UST shot 34-of-96 for 35.4 percent.
The Blue Eagles will look to return to the win column next Saturday when they face NU at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to close out their first-round schedule.
The Scores:
UST (98) – Cabañero 22, Padrigao 20, Akowe 20, Crisostomo 18, Llemit 7, Paranada 5, Acido 4, Buenaflor 2, Calum 0, Estacio 0, Danting 0, Laure 0.
Ateneo (89) – Bahay 17, Ladi 14, Escobar 13, Tuano 12, Adili 10, Espinosa 9, Lazo 8, Lazaro 4, Bongo 2, Espina 0, Fjellvang 0.
Quarterscores: 20-28, 33-37, 55-53, 66-66, 74-74, 85-85, 98-89.
