THE NEW-look UST Growling Tigers clasped on a late-game surge to take down the gritty NU Bulldogs, 67-64, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball eliminations on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST stars Forthsky Padrigao and Nic Cabañero came up clutch in the closing minutes to seize their third victory in the season, matching the total wins of their last two seasons.
The Tigers now stand tall with a 3-1 win-loss slate. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs drop to 1-3.
The “Battle of Sampaloc” kicked off tightly as Tiger rookie Amiel Acido fired a left-corner triple to take the edge, 13-11.
NU guard Reinhard Jumamoy converted an and-1 to regain the lead, but UST guard Kyle Paranada responded with a triple to end the first frame, 16-all.
In the second salvo, the Bulldogs took charge as prized playmaker Steve Nash Enriquez hit both freebies to lead the Tigers by two, 34-32.
Enriquez came alive in the second half, draining four long bombs in the third quarter alone, including the one to put NU at the top, 52-48.
The Bulldogs were looking to pull the game away, taking a 60-53 advantage in the fourth capped by a bucket from Jake Figueroa. However, the Tigers came roaring back.
During a 61-all deadlock, Cabanero hit a tough three-pointer to boost UST’s spirit in the last couple of minutes, 64-61. But Bulldog Jolo Manansala quickly answered with a triple off the backboard to tie the game.
With the game on the line, Padrigao nailed the ice-cold jumper to gain back the lead and eventually the win.
Mo Tounkara led the España-based squad with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. Veteran Christian Manaytay contributed 14 points, five boards and three assists.
Meanwhile, King Tiger Cabañero chalked up 10 markers, five rebounds and two dimes. Floor general Padrigao chipped in eight points, five assists and three boards.
Enriquez dropped 17 points, five assists, three rebounds and a 4-for-7 clip from deep for the Bulldogs. Figueroa had 11 points and nine rebounds, while Donn Lim added eight markers and a couple of triples.
The Growling Tigers will seek to continue their winning ways when they face the defending champions DLSU Green Archers on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the same venue. F – B.R.A Sagre – with reports from Shayne Lee Andreas Macaraeg
