THE UST Growling Tigers’ redemption bid suffered a blow after they stumbled late against the NU Bulldogs, 71-75, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST absorbed its third straight loss, slipping to a 4-6 record to remain in seventh place as the race to the Final Four heats up. NU improved to a 7-3 slate, bolstering its spot as the second seed.
Amiel Acido led the Tigers with 13 points and five rebounds, while team captain Mark Llemit chipped in 12 markers, four assists and three boards.
UST started the game off hot, as four different Tigers converted a three pointer each, to put up a slim 16-11 lead in the first frame.
However, NU unleashed a 12-2 run topped off by Chad Cartel’s triple in the closing minutes to put UST behind at the end of the quarter, 18-24.
A sluggish start to the second plagued the Tigers, as the Bulldogs uncorked another 8-0 run from the duo of Reinhard Jumamoy and Mo Diassana to pad their cushion up to 32-20.
Despite the setback, the España squad retaliated with its own 19-8 blitz off of crucial threes down the stretch, capped off by a late Buenaflor and-one to close the gap down to 40-39 by halftime.
Llemit opened the second half with a three to claim the Tigers’ first lead since the opening quarter, 44-40, before the Bulldogs broke into another 13-2 run led by Paul Francisco’s three to put them ahead once again, 53-46.
UST quickly answered back with its own 11-4 blitz, with Andrew Chio, Porter and Acido’s trey tying things up at 57-all heading into the closing quarter.
Despite an early 62-57 lead in the final salvo, a seven-minute scoreless drought allowed the Bulldogs to build a 14-4 run to lead 73-66 down the stretch.
Although a late Landyn Jumawan three and Acido free throws closed the gap, Bulldog PJ Palacielo sunk a pair of crucial shots from the charity stripe to seal UST’s fate, 71-75.
Collins Akowe and rookie Andrew Chio combined for 22 points in the loss.
Diassana led all scorers with 16 markers and 19 rebounds, while Palacielo followed suit with 14 points and six rebounds.
The Tigers will aim to bounce back when they face the FEU Tamaraws on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the same venue. F
