Not wanting to end their season with an embarrassing 0-14 slate, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers salvaged a little bit of pride, bucking the University of the East Red Warriors, 88-85, in the final day of the elimination round of the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball tournament.
The win ended UST’s 17-game losing streak, as the Growling Tigers’ last win happened on October 15, 2016, in a 73-69 victory over the NU Bulldogs. However, this is still the worst-ever finish of the proud UST basketball program.
“Siyempre masaya, hindi kami na-zero ‘diba. Masaya kasi hindi kami na-zero, and at the same time, ito ‘yung part ng rebuilding process namin, transition from two coaches na dumaan, may pinanggalingan na hindi maganda. Kailangan mabago ‘yun, kailangan doon umpisahan,” said second-year head coach Boy Sablan, who ended his second campaign with the Growling Tigers with a tally of 4-24.
Cameroonian student-athlete Steve Akomo willed the Growling Tigers with 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting, 20 rebounds, and a whopping six blocks. But it was the huge fourth quarter outing by Regie Basibas that helped quell the Red Warriors.
UST led by as much as 14 points in the first half, but the Red Warriors battled back early in the final frame, eventually tasting their first lead, 65-63, after free throws by Mark Maloles with 8:58 left in the game.
But the Growling Tigers kept pushing, not wanting to end their season with another heartbreak.
UST were able to regain the lead later on, but a rare four-point play by Jason Varilla with 2:38 left sliced the lead to just a solitary point, 76-77. Marvin Lee was able to answer right back with a strong drive to the basket, followed by three free throws by Basibas to give UST a five-point edge with 54.4 ticks left.
“Itong mga batang ito, kahit saan makarating, maayos na tao, maayos na bata. Hindi makikipag-away, hindi makikipag-gulo. Naglaro kami ng maraming probinsya, kahit isang away wala kami. Yun ang values ng UST,” added Sablan.
UE’s Philip Manalang tried to spark the Red Warriors. A basket by Manalang and free throws by rookie Mark Maloles with 19.7 seconds remaining cut the lead to just one. Free throws by Lee 7.6 seconds later gave UST enough breathing room, but JC Cullar was able to answer right back on the other end.
But time was on UST’s side, as after Oliver De Guzman converted two freebies, UE were not able to heave a last ditch attempt to close out the game.
Basibas scored 12 of his 21 points in the final frame, while Eric Caunan added 14 markers and 11 boards.
Jeepy Faundo played his final game for UST.
The Red Warriors ended their Season 80 campaign with a 3-13 slate, good for seventh.
Alvin Pasaol paced UE with 18 points, while Jason Varilla and Mark Maloles chipped in 16 and 15 points respectively.
UE’s height disadvantage against UST showed in the game, as they were out-rebounded 37-57.
Rey Acuno, Clark Derige, and Mark Olayon player their final game for UE.
The Scores:
UST 88 – Basibas 21, Akomo 18, Caunan 14, Lee 11, Garcia 10, De Guzman 6, Sta. Ana 4, Escalambre 2, Macasaet 2, Romero 0, Huang 0, Faundo 0.
UE 85 – Pasaol 18, Varilla 16, Maloles 15, Conner 10, Acuño 8, Cullar 7, Manalang 7, Bartolome 2, Olayon 2, Derige 0.
Quarterscores: 23-15, 43-39, 63-61, 88-85.
