MANILA – Rookie import Collins Akowe delivered a dominant debut that ended years of frustration for the University of Santo Tomas, powering the Growling Tigers to a resounding 87-67 victory over defending champions University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday night at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Akowe imposed his will inside with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting and 17 rebounds, while also adding an assist, a steal, and a block in an all-around performance that gave the Tigers their first win over the Maroons since the Season 82 Final Four.
Kyle Paranada provided early firepower with 18 points—14 coming in the first half—while Nicael Cabañero and Angelo Crisostomo chipped in nine and eight markers, respectively. The Tigers pulled away behind Paranada’s hot shooting and Akowe’s dominance in the paint, building a 57-43 halftime cushion. UP tried to rally back within seven in the second half, but UST answered with another decisive run anchored by Akowe’s inside game to seal the victory despite missing suspended guard Rence Padrigao.
Mark Belmonte paced the Fighting Maroons with 12 points, while Bacolod native Harold Alarcon and Jacob Bayla contributed 11 apiece.
In the other game, the National University Bulldogs leaned on a blistering third-quarter surge to blast the University of the East Red Warriors, 72-57.
Veterans Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Jolo Manansala took charge in their final UAAP season, while returnee Omar John and young guns Paul Francisco and Kenshin Padrones added key support. NU broke open a 39-34 halftime lead with a 14-1 run sparked by John and Figueroa’s back-to-back dunks, followed by a Figueroa triple that widened the gap to 53-35.
The Bulldogs never looked back, with Tebol Garcia, Angelo Santiago, and CJ Palacielo joining the scoring spree to stretch the lead to 23 midway through the payoff period./PN
BOX SCORE:
UST 87 – Akowe 29, Paranada 18, Cabañero 9, Crisostomo 8, Buenaflor 7, Calum 4, Llemit 3, Estacio 3, Acido 2, Laure 2, Sevilla 2, Bangco 0, Manding 0, Bucsit 0, Danting 0.
UP 67 – Belmonte 12, Alarcon 11, Bayla 11, Bayla 6, Torres 6, Nnoruka 5, Fortea 4, Felicilda 4, Abadiano 2, Alter 2, Palanca 2, Briones 2, Stevens 0.
Quarterscores: 31-19, 57-43, 70-57, 87-67.
