After stunning the University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas delivered another statement win, toppling De La Salle University 93-84 to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.
The Growling Tigers snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Green Archers with this emphatic victory. UST’s last triumph over De La Salle came on October 11, 2015, an 81-79 second-round win in Season 78.
“The darkest part of the game was when we were down by [12] but you saw that UST last year is not the same as UST this year. Medyo mas confident na kami dito sa laro na ito,” said UST assistant coach Peter Martin, recalling the time they trailed 56-68 in the third quarter but managed to cut the deficit to 72-74 by the end of the period.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
With just over three minutes left and a slim three-point lead, the Growling Tigers pulled away with an eight-point run courtesy of Collins Akowe, Forthsky Padrigao, and Nic Cabañero, extending their advantage to 93-82 with 1:21 remaining.
UST dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points while holding La Salle to only 10. Jacob Cortez, who had contributed 17 points in the first three quarters, struggled to find his rhythm down the stretch.
“My coaches and teammates [encouraged me at halftime]. Echo (Laure) said the first half is done, we need you in the second half, we need you to be aggressive,” said Akowe, who delivered another standout performance with 20 points and 19 rebounds.
Cabañero led the Growling Tigers with 27 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the field, adding six rebounds. Sophomore Amiel Acido chipped in 13 points and six boards.
Padrigao, returning after serving a suspension from the Season 87 finale, recorded 12 points, nine assists, three steals, and three rebounds, finishing with a game-high plus-15 in his 28 minutes on the floor.
UST will enjoy home-court advantage when it faces NU on Wednesday at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, 4:30 p.m.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For De La Salle, Cortez finished with 17 points, three rebounds, and two assists, as the Green Archers dropped to 1-1, tied with Adamson at fourth place. Earl Abadam added 11 points, while Mike Phillips was limited to eight points on 4-of-10 shooting, though he contributed 15 rebounds and four assists.
The Green Archers will look to bounce back on Wednesday against Far Eastern University.
The Scores:
UST (93) – Cabañero 27, Akowe 20, Acido 13, Padrigao 12, Paranada 9, Crisostomo 5, Llemit 3, Danting 2, Laure 2, Calum 0, Bucsit 0, Estacio 0.
DLSU (84) – Cortez 17, Abadam 11, Baclaan 9, Amos 9, Marasigan 9, Phillips 8, Dungo 6, Pablo 4, Gollena 4, Gomez 4, Daep 3, Nwankwo 0.
Quarterscores: 22-27, 45-49, 72-74, 93-84
