MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers used a massive third-quarter breakaway to defeat Adamson University Falcons, 75-49, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball on Saturday night at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Amiel Acido led the charge with a career-high 14 points, while Nicael Cabañero and Mo Tounkara contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively, as the Growling Tigers clinched a Final Four seat with their 7-7 record.
The Growling Tigers, who last reached the UAAP Final Four in Season 82 when they finished as runners-up, will face the No. 2 seed University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
After being down 3-14 early in the game, the Growling Tigers slowly clawed their way back behind conversions from Mark Llemit and Angelo Crisostomo to take a 29-28 lead at the half.
The Tigers went on a 23-4 scoring run in the third quarter, fueled by inside plays from Cabañero and Tounkara, along with outside shots from Amiel Acido, Kyle Paranada, and Rence Padrigao, to establish a commanding 52-32 lead.
UST continued their dominance in the fourth period with three-pointers from Tounkara and Acido and more inside attacks from Cabañero, pushing their lead to as high as 67-40 with over three minutes remaining.
“’Yung first quarter, hindi naman talaga kami nag-struggle, masyadong good start lang ‘yung Adamson, then we recovered, then naka-shoot pa sila ng three-pointers nung last few seconds ng second quarter,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio after the game.
“Ang difference sa second half is we became aggressive tapos we are making our shots, siyempre meron ding magic bunot, nabunot natin si Acido kaya tayo nanalo,” added the one-time UAAP champion coach.
Matthew Montebon was the lone double-digit scorer for the Falcons with 14 points, with nine coming in the opening quarter, as they dropped to a 5-8 win-loss record for fifth place.
The Falcons, however, still have a chance to force at least a playoff for the fourth and final semis seat, provided they win against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on November 23, and the University of the East Red Warriors will lose to the Fighting Maroons on November 20./PN
BOX SCORE:
UST 75 – Acido 14, Cabañero 13, Tounkara 11, Paranada 9, Padrigao 7, Llemit 7, Manaytay 6, Crisostomo 5, Estacio 3, Laure 0, Danting 0, Lane 0, Pangilinan 0.
ADAMSON 49 –Montebon 14, Mantua 9, Anabo 7, Dignadice 5, Yerro 4, Barcelona 4, Fransman 3, Ramos 2, Manzano 1, Erolon 0, Ronzone 0, Ojarikre 0, Calisay 0, Barasi 0, Ignacio 0, Alexander 0.
Quarterscores: 16-18, 29-28, 52-32, 75-49.
