THE UST Growling Tigers outclass the UMak Herons in a 92-55 blowout in their Round of 16 matchup at the 2026 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup, on Sunday, August 23, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Despite lacking the services of foreign student-athlete Collins Akowe, the Tigers showed no signs of regression in the landslide victory over the Herons to advance to the quarterfinals.
Carl Manding led the offensive charge for UST, notching 16 points, six rebounds, and a steal.
“This is the result of our hard work as a team, and I’m thankful for my coaches and seniors for always giving me chances to be an important factor in the lineup,” Manding told The Flame.
“I’ve been able to gradually adapt with my teammates and our system throughout the year, since I arrived late in UST,” he added.
The España-squad caught fire in the opening minutes, as Kirk Cañete and Peter Osang combined for 11 points to seal a 26-13 advantage to end the first quarter.
Manding continued the UST barrage in the second salvo, scoring six consecutive points to put the Tigers up by as much as 20, 39-19.
Despite five straight points from Yhano Lacsarum to cut UMak’s deficit, the Tigers responded with an 11-0 blitz of their own to retain a comfortable lead entering halftime, 50-27.
UST continued to dictate pace in the third quarter, as back-to-back threes from Koji Buenaflor and Brylle Teng ballooned the Tigers to a 75-39 advantage entering the final 10 minutes.
Momentum remained on UST’s side in the final frame, as Manding and Charles Esteban combined for 10 of UST’s 17 fourth quarter points to seal the blowout, 92-55.
Osang and Ice Danting both added 11 points of their own in UST’s victory.
Vhon Roldan paced UMak in the loss with 11 markers, two assists and two steals.
UST will look to continue their run in the quarterfinals against the winner of the LPU Pirates and SPC Ravens match at a later date. F
