By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers showcased composure under pressure, mounting a decisive late-game surge to defeat the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 92-80, and seize a share of the top spot in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Clinging to a slim 82-80 advantage, UST’s Nigerian center Collins Akowe powered through FEU’s Mo Konateh for a crucial layup that ignited a 10-0 finishing run.
Moments later, Angelo Crisostomo drained back-to-back three-pointers that broke the game wide open, pushing the Tigers ahead 90-80 with just over two minutes left. Two Akowe free throws sealed the 12-point win.
Kyle Paranada spearheaded UST’s balanced attack with 19 points, while Crisostomo contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and a block. Akowe and Rence Padriago added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
“That triple-overtime win against Ateneo really boosted us up,” said Nic Cabañero, who finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and two assists. “The coaches helped us and motivated us to push our limits this game despite our sloppy start. It’s all about team effort this game.”
UST improved to 5–1, sharing the top spot in the standings, while FEU slid to 1–5, tied for seventh.
The Tamaraws kept it close behind Janrey Pasaol, who scored 22 points with eight assists and five rebounds, and Mo Konateh, who tallied 19 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. But FEU faded down the stretch against UST’s relentless closing burst.
In the other game, De La Salle University pulled off a dramatic 111–110 overtime win over University of the East, erasing a 20-point deficit behind Jacob Cortez’s clutch heroics.
Cortez led the Archers with 26 points, five assists, and four steals to snap their two-game skid and lift them to a 3–3 record./PN
