MANILA — University of Santo Tomas weathered De La Salle University’s furious late comeback and delivered under pressure in the closing minutes to carve out an 80-75 victory in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Growling Tigers leaned on Amiel Acido and Collins Akowe down the stretch to turn back the Green Archers and bounce back from their opening-game setback, improving their record to 1-1.
UST appeared headed for a comfortable finish after building a 72-63 advantage with more than five minutes remaining, but DLSU mounted a spirited rally behind crucial free throws from Luis Pablo and Jacob Cortez.
The Green Archers sliced the deficit to just two points, 70-72, before Mark Llemit stopped their surge with a timely layup that restored UST’s four-point cushion, 74-70.
Jan Macalalag kept DLSU within striking distance by draining a three-pointer, but the Growling Tigers responded with consecutive baskets from Akowe and Acido to stretch their advantage to 78-73.
A goaltending call gave the Green Archers another opening and trimmed UST’s lead to 78-75, but Acido showed composure at the free-throw line, sinking two charities in the closing seconds to finally put the game beyond DLSU’s reach.
Acido spearheaded UST with 19 points, while Akowe turned in a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Landyn Jumawan chipped in 10 points.
Vhoris Marasigan paced the Green Archers with 16 points, while Cortez and Earl Abadam scored 13 points apiece. Macalalag and Pablo contributed 10 each.
The victory left UST and DLSU with identical 1-1 records in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Kieffer Alas made an emphatic collegiate debut as Ateneo de Manila University opened its Season 89 campaign with a dominant 101-74 victory over the University of the East.
Alas immediately announced his arrival in the UAAP by pouring in 24 points, four rebounds and one assist in only 20 minutes of action.
Jared Bahay added 17 points for the Blue Eagles, while Grayson Rogers contributed 12./PN
