IT WAS a roaring start for the UST Growling Tigers as they thrashed the defending champions UP Fighting Maroons, 87-67, in the first round of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Sept. 21, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Making the most of homecourt advantage, the Tigers exacted revenge on the squad that ended their Final Four run last season.
UST’s foreign student-athlete (FSA) Collins Akowe imposed dominance in his seniors’ division debut, singlehandedly outscoring UP’s starters with 29 points to go along with 17 rebounds.
“Coming into the game, I didn’t see myself as a rookie… I just came into the game ready to play basketball… nothing like a rookie or a veteran,” Akowe told The Flame.
“Coaches told me, ‘Collins, stick to the system,’ and that is what I did,” he added.
The España-based cagers stormed to an 18-4 start, topped by a jumper from King Tiger Nic Cabañero.
Mark Llemit drilled a triple to give UST a 31-19 cushion in the opening frame.
The Tigers then ballooned their lead to 21 points early in the second salvo with a basket from big man Gelo Crisostomo, 43-22.
UP trimmed its deficit down to eight midway through, but UST remained ahead to close the first half with a 14-point advantage, 57-43.
Last year’s champions attempted to make a run in the third quarter as Francis Nnoruka converted a layup, 58-51. However, the home team stayed composed to head into the final frame with a 70-57 lead.
Akowe was hard to contain as he was sent to the free-throw line once again, where he made both of his attempts to give his team a 23-point advantage en route to the victory.
Tiger guard Kyle Paranada scored 18 points in the absence of Forthsky Padrigao due to a suspension. Cabañero added nine points and five boards.
For the Maroons, Mark Belmonte led with 12 points, while Jacob Bayla and Harold Alarcon had 11 markers apiece.
UST will look to maintain its momentum against the DLSU Green Archers on Sept. 27 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F
