By: Joaquin Cortez
University of Santo Tomas survived a late scare to spoil Ateneo de Manila University’s home-court advantage, securing an 84-79 victory in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-Under Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Miguel Austria led the Tiger Cubs with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Wayne Anggot added 12 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Nicolai Cabañero and Mac Macasarte chipped in 10 points apiece.
With the win, UST strengthened its hold on fifth place with a 5-5 record, remaining half a game behind fourth-running University of the East, which holds a 5-4 slate.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Medyo naging complacent kami nung start eh, masama ‘yung first half namin, especially ‘yung pag-protect sa three-point area kasi ‘yun talaga ‘yung pinag-usapan namin,” UST assistant coach JM Lagumen said.
“Pero, come second half, nung kinausap namin sila, very lucky kami na nag-react naman ‘yung mga bata. Nag-respond naman sila sa sinabi namin sa kanila,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles failed to build on their first win of the season, a victory over University of the Philippines Integrated School on Sunday, and slipped to their ninth loss in 10 games.
Trailing by five points in the third period, UST responded with a 12-4 run capped by Juno Cuello’s two-point jumper, giving the Tiger Cubs a slim 67-64 lead heading into the final quarter.
Ateneo struggled to draw level in the fourth as Austria capitalized on the Blue Eagles’ offensive miscues, drilling a three-pointer to give UST some breathing room at 71-66.
The Blue Eagles refused to go away, however, scoring five unanswered points capped by Spencer Saw’s triple to tie the game at 71-all with more than five minutes remaining.
UST answered with a 5-0 run of its own, punctuated by Anggot’s two-point basket to restore a five-point cushion at 76-71.
The Tiger Cubs maintained their advantage down the stretch, but Jude Ylen drained a triple to keep Ateneo within striking distance at 80-78.
Chris Llavore had a chance to pull Ateneo level but missed crucial free throws, preventing the Blue Eagles from tying the game at 81-all.
After UST was called for an eight-second violation following a scramble for a loose ball, Ateneo had another opportunity to take the lead. However, Saw’s inbound pass sailed over his intended target, allowing Austria to come up with the steal.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Karl Gandionco was subsequently ejected after being assessed a flagrant foul for excessive contact on Austria. Austria split his free throws to give UST an 81-79 lead with 15 seconds remaining.
Nathan Bathan then sank the game-sealing free throws to secure the Tiger Cubs’ second consecutive victory.
Gandionco led Ateneo with 21 points and two steals, while Diego Nuque-Bautista recorded 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Saw and Ylen chipped in 14 points apiece.
Both teams will return to action on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
UST will go for its third straight win against Far Eastern University-Diliman at 9:00 a.m., while Ateneo will look to bounce back against UE at 11 a.m.
The Scores:
UST 84 – Austria 26, Anggot 12, Cabañero 10, Macasarte 10, Bathan 9, Umbana 5, Cuello 5, Esusan 5, Eusebio 2, Collado 0, Dueñas 0, Samaniego 0, Abototo 0.
Ateneo 79 – Gandionco 21, Nuque-Bautista 16, Saw 14, Ylen 14, Llavore 4, Dela Cruz 4, Fresnido 2, Molina 2, Bayona Jr. 0, Shi 0.
Quarterscores: 28-24, 47-50, 67-64, 84-79.
