THE UST Growling Tigers roared back into the Final Four race after routing the UE Red Warriors, 97-70, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Debuting foreign student-athlete Peter Osang chalked-up a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double and five blocks, while Amiel Acido steered with 22 markers off the bench.
“I feel so excited (in my debut), but now, I just need to keep on working and staying ready,” Osang told The Flame.
“I have a ‘never give up’ mentality, and I always know I’m going to have a chance and a lot for me to learn,” he added.
With the win, the Growling Tigers blossomed in the rankings with a 6-6 standing, while UE remained in the bottom with a 1-11 record.
After UE opened the match with a 6-2 start, Osang impressed with two consecutive and-one plays to get their first lead of the game in the halfway mark of the first period.
The Tigers then shifted gears as they outpaced the Red Warriors, capped by Landyn Jumawan’s baseline trey and Acido’s layup to complete a 15-5 run and stretch their lead to 35-16.
As the España-based squad boarded their momentum in the second salvo, Koji Buenaflor’s mid-range shot and Jumawan’s beyond the arc basket built a 24-point lead for the Tigers, 50-26.
Despite a quick triple from Acido, two straight baskets from Drew Jimenez and JM Edoukou sharply made the Recto-based squad afloat entering halftime, 58-41.
The Tigers successfully answered Topher Lagat’s three-straight threes for the Red Warriors in the third frame courtesy of back-to-back Mark Llemit layups and Jumawan’s mid-range jumper, 68-51.
Acido’s free throws and layups then swiftly increased their lead further in the third quarter, 82-56.
In the sixth minute mark of the fourth period, a six-point play from Acido and Andrew Chio greatly demolished the highest lead of the game with a 31-point advantage for the Tigers, 91-60.
Jiro Sevilla’s corner three and Mur Alao’s layup within the closing minutes immensely cemented the victory for UST.
Jumawan added 16 points off 6-out-of-8 field-goal shooting, with a 3-of-5 stuffing of three-pointers.
Lagat paced the Warriors the loss with 22 points.
The Tigers will strive to keep their momentum going in a marquee matchup with the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 15, at the same venue. F
