AFTER TWO straight heartbreakers, the UST Growling Tigers nabbed their first win against the College of St. Benilde (CSB) Blazers, 80-67, to secure a spot in the Asiabasket International Invitational semifinals on Wednesday, July 23, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Top recruit Collins Akowe delivered a monster performance in his third game for the Tigers, racking up 20 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks.
“I’m just getting the job done… I’m just crashing boards, taking advantage of the opponent,” the Nigerian big man said postgame.
“Nobody’s like my size there, I’m like 6’10 so I need to take advantage of that,” he added.
With Akowe asserting his presence in the paint, UST dominated the glass by outrebounding CSB, 64-40.
Following a nip-and-tuck first quarter affair, UST unleashed a 17-6 barrage midway through the second salvo to carve out a 30-21 advantage. The Blazers’ pressure defense, however, disrupted the Tigers’ rhythm, turning turnovers into points to close the half, 41-37.
Tiger Mark Llemit strung together seven consecutive points to open the third period and restore a double-digit lead, 52-39. CSB then answered with a 16-7 run to cut the deficit back to four heading into the final frame, 59-55.
Fueled by timely baskets from Akowe and Ivanne Calum in the fourth, UST outscored CSB 21-12 to claim the win.
Calum contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the Tigers, while Llemit and Ice Danting added 10 markers apiece.
Allen Liwag led the Blazers’ offense with 11 points and seven boards. Former Tiger SJ Moore tallied eight points.
UST will get a shot at redemption versus the San Beda Red Lions in a semifinals rematch on Thursday, July 24, at the same venue. F
