Metro Manila, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers pounced on the defending champions, De La Salle University Green Archers, 80-75, to clinch their first win in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
After a nail-biting loss to the University of the Philippines in their opening game, the Growling Tigers maintained their composure for majority of the game.
Amiel Acido provided a much-needed spark off the bench, pacing UST with a game-high 19 points.
Reigning Best Foreign Student-Athlete Collins Akowe had a solid double-double performance, contributing 18 markers and 10 rebounds.
Both squads traded baskets early before an Akowe dunk sparked a 13-4 run that gave UST a 24-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The España-based squad capitalized on its advantage and fended off multiple scoring runs from the Green Archers to maintain a slim lead at halftime, 45-40.
La Salle seniors Earl Abadam and Vhoris Marasigan knocked down several baskets to tie the game midway through the third quarter, but Acido answered with a personal 5-0 run to put UST ahead, 61-56.
With the Green Archers closing in after a Jcee Macalalag triple, Akowe powered through the defense for a basket with 25 seconds remaining to give UST a slim 76-73 lead.
Acido put the finishing touches on the victory after sinking four free throws to secure the triumph.
Marasigan led La Salle in scoring with 16 points, while Jacob Cortez and Abadam had 13 points apiece.
UST will aim for back-to-back wins as it faces the surging Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Sept. 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
DLSU, on the other hand, will try to regroup before facing the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at the same time and venue.
The scores:
UST (80) – Acido 19, Akowe 18, Junawan 10, Esteban 9, Llemit 6, Buenaflor 5, D. Sevilla 4, Cañete 4, Porter 3, Crisostomo 2, Alao 0, Manding 0, Danting 0.
DLSU (75) – Marasigan 16, Cortez 13, Abadam 13, Pablo 10, Macalalag 10, Dungo 5, Tovera 4, Amos 2, Kulang 2, Gagate 0, Sardon 0, Daep 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 45-40, 61-56, 80-75
