THE UST Growling Tigers settled for a runner-up finish in the 2025 Asiabasket International Invitational as they stumbled to the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 68-63, on July 25, Friday, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
UST’s title hopes slipped away in the waning moments, squandering a 60-55 lead as Adamson’s defense turned the tide.
Both teams committed nine errors in a scrappy start to the championship clash, with the Falcons taking a slim 31-29 lead at halftime.
The España squad came alive midway through the third, erupting for an 18-7 run fueled by converted free throws and forced turnovers to seize a 47-38 advantage.
Adamson’s Matt Erolon responded with back-to-back triples to cut the deficit to four as UST held on to a 52-48 edge heading into the final period.
After holding a 60-55 lead right before crunch time, the Tigers gave up a 12-3 blitz after a costly turnover from Forthsky Padrigao with a minute remaining, 67-63.
UST failed to get a clean look in the dying seconds of the game as tournament MVP Collins Akowe missed a putback and Amiel Acido’s trey was denied.
Eventual Finals MVP John Earl Medina led the offense for the San Marcelino-based squad with 16 points and two rebounds. Manu Anabo and Ray Allen Torres added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
For the Tigers, Gelo Crisostomo logged 12 points and nine rebounds, while Padrigao chipped in 10 markers in his return.
Earlier in the day, Akowe earned MVP honors and a spot in the Mythical Five after averaging 14.5 points, 15.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over four games. Tiger winger Mark Llemit was also selected with averages of 15.3 points, four rebounds per contest.
In the title match, Akowe and Llemit combined for 17 points in the losing effort. F
