THE UST Growling Tigers defied expectations as they steered themselves into a second straight Final Four slot by trouncing the top-seeded NU Bulldogs, 80-71, in Round 2 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Nov. 23.
UST exacted revenge on its first tormentor in the season during the game at the Mall of Asia Arena to take the third seed with an 8-5 slate.
The Bulldogs embarassed the Tigers in their home turf, 76-69, during their first round encounter last Oct. 1 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Despite the loss, NU ended the elimination round atop the standings with an 11-3 record.
The Tigers banked on the fourth quarter heroics of Mark Llemit and Amiel Acido, as they combined for 22 points to secure their semifinals spot.
“[This game] is for our seniors because we want to give them a good exit. We’re really happy that we’re back in the Final Four,” Llemit told The Flame.
UST senior guard Forthsky Padrigao drew a personal 5-0 run to open the match, 16-12. Bulldog guard Reinhard Jumamoy, however, drained a triple to cap a 7-0 counterrun to end the first frame with NU up by three, 19-16.
The España squad was quick to retaliate after being down by as much as seven in the second salvo as UST big man Collins Akowe slammed a bucket, but NU’s Jolo Manansala sank a midrange jumper to lead by a point after the first half, 38-37.
NU started the second half strong but UST forward Gelo Cristomo sank a midranger that triggered a 7-0 blitz to close the third period ahead, 58-57. Tiger Amiel Acido then drained a left-corner triple midway through the last frame to bury the Bulldogs by 11, 74-63.
NU’s Tulabut tried to rally the Bulldogs back in the game but back-to-back baskets from Padrigao and Mark Llemit sealed the match for the Final Four-bound Tigers.
Crisostomo led the Tigers’ scoring with 13 points and five rebounds, while Akowe posted a double-double performance of 11 markers and 11 boards.
The loss foiled a double-double outing of Omar John, who paced the Bulldogs with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Gearing into the Final Four, the Tigers will look to end the elimination round on a high note as they face the gritty FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F
