THE UST Growling Tigers settled for silver in the Asiabasket NSAC World Invitationals after falling to Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the championship game, 92-91, on Sunday, Aug. 16 at the Philsports Arena.
Despite the loss, foreign student-athelete Collins Akowe was hailed Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament after posting averages of 23.3 points and 14.3 rebounds across three games with the España-squad.
“It’s a good experience for us you know, playing against a good team and losing by one point, It’s a good experience,” Akowe told The Flame.
“Hopefully, coming into the UAAP, we’ll use this as a fuel for ourselves, and get going,” he added.
UST waxed hot to start the match, as a three from Amiel Acido gave the Tigers a 31-23 cushion to close the opening quarter.
The Fighting Eagles clapped back in the second salvo, as a fast break layup from Francis Lopez returned the lead back to Nagoya, 36-35.
The Tigers’ cold spell remained, as a corner three from Haruki Ito extended the Japan-squads lead entering halftime, 46-42.
Both teams exchanged blows early in the third period, as Ivanne Calum’s inside layup placed the game at a 57-all deadlock.
Nagoya continued to punch back however, as another inside bucket from Lopez widened his team’s gap entering the final 10 minutes, 70-64.
The Tigers caught fire in the latter moments of the final frame, as threes from Acido and rookie Landyn Jumawan put the España-squad in front, 85-84.
The Fighting Eagles then responded with timely buckets, as a layup through contact from Tres Tinkle, followed by a deep three from Ryuta Yasuoka sealed the title for Nagoya, 92-91.
The former UAAP champion Lopez was hailed Finals MVP, after leading the Fighting Eagles with 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Akowe and Jumawan paced the Tigers in their silver-medal finish with a combined 40 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists.
Akowe was also crowned a member of the tournament’s Mythical Five joining Tinkle, JRU’s Lawrence Mangubat, Tenri University’s Jeremiah Williams, and Justin Hawkins National Formosa University. F – Lara Sofia Alvarez
