AFTER THEIR best showing in over half a decade, the UST Growling Tigers’ title hopes were shut down once again by the UP Fighting Maroons, 82-81, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball semifinals at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
For the second straight year, the Tigers’ season ended at the hands of the Maroons.
In his final game in the UAAP, King Tiger Nic Cabañero scored 24 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists.
Cabañero completed his five-year collegiate stint with two Mythical Five nods and two trips to the Final Four.
UST roared out of the gate with an 11-0 start topped by a triple from Kyle Paranda. But UP responded with an even larger 19-0 explosion to cap the first frame with an eight-point advantage.
The defending champions continued to inflict damage in the second salvo as a trey and a free throw from team captain Gerry Abadiano gave them a 37-22 cushion.
UP’s Francis Nnoruka hammered an empathic jam before King Tiger Nic Cabañero scored five straight points to cut their lead to 43-36 at halftime.
The Tigers then overtook the lead during the period with an and-1 from Cabañero, 55-54.
After multiple lead changes, UP reclaimed the lead heading into the final quarter, 65-62.
Deadlock at 70-all midway through the fourth, Tiger shooter Amiel Acido completed a four-point play for the lead.
With Forthsky Padrigao putting UST ahead by four, UP’s Terrence Fortea drained a clutch three for a slim 82-81 edge.
The Tigers had another chance but Cabañero missed both of his chances, exiting the season in similar fashion as last year.
Gelo Crisostomo put up 15 markers and seven boards for UST, while monster rookie Collins Akowe had an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double. Kyle Paranada chipped in 10.
On the Diliman side, Harold Alarcon scored 22 points, while Nnoruka contributed 19 markers and three blocks.
Aside from Cabañero, Padrigao, Paranada and Leland Estacio have already used up their playing years. F
