THE MUCH-FEARED scenario of the UE Red Warriors securing its first win at the expense of the UST Growling Tigers did not materialize as the España squad seized a much-needed 109-97 victory in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball eliminations on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
After four straight losses, the Tigers reignited their playoff push, grabbing a 6-5 win-loss record for a solo hold on the fourth spot.
King Tiger Nic Cabañero led his team with 19 points, five boards and three assists, while Collins Akowe posted a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double to secure UST’s first win of the second round.
“First of all, it’s a good win. I’ll call this a momentum boost for us going into our [final] games,” Akowe said postgame at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“We just talked to each other, from coaches to players and we just helped each other in what we needed to improve as a team,” Cabañero added.
The España crew opened the game with a 31-16 advantage after Gelo Crisostomo drilled back-to-back triples. Bangcs Bangco scored two more markers, pushing the Tigers’ lead to 17 points to close the first frame.
UE tried to trim its deficit to 11 as Precious Momowei scored inside, but UST stayed in front at the end of the half with a 57-41 cushion.
Backup big man Echo Laure scored past the midway mark of the third period to give the Tigers their biggest lead of the game, 82-55.
Akowe threw down a two-handed slam before Cole Cruz-Dumont answered with a long jumper, as UE trailed by 20 entering the fourth frame, 87-67.
The Red Warriors rallied in the final quarter, cutting down the Tigers’ lead to 89-79 with a layup from Wello Lingolingo.
With the John Abate-less UE hunting for its first win of the season, Tiger wing Mark Llemit buried back-to-back three-pointers to put UST back in control, 100-83.
Despite the Recto squad not backing down, Cabañero scored seven straight points to take home the victory.
Crisostomo had 14 points and seven rebounds for UST. Forsthsky Padrigao and Amiel Acido added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
On UE’s side, team captain Lingolingo scored 18 points, while Precious Momowei and Dylan Despi chipped in 17 each.
The Tigers will look to win back-to-back when they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F
