A CAREER-DEFINING performance from Mark Llemit was not enough for the UST Growling Tigers to upend the UP Fighting Maroons in double-overtime, 101-103, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Llemit erupted for a career-high 33 points, while big man Collins Akowe added a 23-point, 18-rebound double-double in the loss.
The Tigers’ woes against the Maroons continued to prolong, absorbing their 13th loss in the last 14 outings, including two Final Four elimination losses.
UST weathered Veejay Pre’s 14-point start as the España-based squad kept answering back in a back-and-forth affair.
Kris Porter tied the game at 24-all with 17 seconds left, but two free throws from Diliman’s Chico Briones put the Fighting Maroons ahead by the end of the quarter, 26-24.
Llemit continued to pour offense for UST throughout the second period, but a layup from Pre in the waning seconds trimmed the Tigers’ deficit entering halftime, 49-47.
The España squad pulled away in the third quarter, with Cañete, Acido, Jumawan and Llemit knocking down consecutive treys to fuel a 12-2 run and stretch UST’s lead to 65-53.
The Tigers, however, committed seven turnovers early in the fourth quarter as Rey Remogat reclaimed the lead for UP, 72-74.
Recovering from a broken play, Akowe clutched a layup through contact to force the game into an extra period, 84-all.
An and-1 bucket by Akowe capped a 7-0 run for the Tigers in the first overtime, 96-89.
UP’s Miguel Yñiguez, however, tied the game, 96-all resulting in another overtime.
Pre kept the game alive for UP in the second overtime, ending it with a free throw at 103-101.
Pre took charge of the Fighting Maroons tallying 30 points, 16 rebounds and four steals. Briones and Remogat followed with 14 and 10, respectively.
The Growling Tigers will look to return to the win column against the DLSU Green Archers on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Blue Eagle Gym. F
