DESPITE GOING winless in the elimination round, the UST Growling Tigers marched into the 2025 Asiabasket International Invitational finals after knocking out the San Beda Red Lions, 82-68, on Thursday, July 24, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
UST center Gelo Crisostomo powered the Tigers to their second straight victory, registering 13 points, 11 boards, four assists and two steals.
“It was not easy… it was our effort that gave us the win,” Crisostomo said postgame.
“We had a lot of miscommunication the past few games, but now it’s improving, that’s why we played well,” he added.
The Tigers kicked off the match with an 11-2 run highlighted by back-to-back buckets from big man Collins Akowe.
San Beda tried to build momentum, but UST held on to a 20-12 lead at the end of the opening frame.
Three minutes into the second salvo, the España-based squad built a 14-point cushion topped by a triple from Ice Danting, 33-19.
The Red Lions pulled within two, 40-38, after Yukien Andrada drilled his third trey of the quarter. However, second-chance points from Mark Llemit and Crisostomo gave the Tigers a 46-38 advantage at halftime.
UST led by a dozen midway through the third period as guard Ivanne Calum converted a contested layup, 57-45.
Tiger rookie Koji Buenaflor powered through contact to give his team a 17-point lead, 65-48. San Beda’s MJ Vailoces then hit a triple before the final quarter.
With a finals spot in sight, the Tigers kept their foot on the gas in the fourth to seal the win.
Aside from Crisostomo, four other Tigers scored in double-digits. Beunaflor scored 14 points, Amiel Acido had 13, while Llemit and Akowe added 11 each.
In the San Beda side, Andrada unleashed 21 points with five triples. Vailoces contributed 13 markers.
UST will face the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the championship match scheduled on Friday, July 25, at the same venue. F
