By Jun Ray Navarres
University of Santo Tomas displayed immense grit to secure a 98-89 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in a triple-overtime epic on Saturday, October 11.
The first men’s basketball game in the Final Four era to go to three extra periods saw UST spoil Ateneo’s homecoming and climb to a 4-1 record, sharing the top spot in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball standings with the National University, while the Blue Eagles dropped to 4-2 after suffering back-to-back losses.
Still tied at 85 after two additional extensions, the more conditioned Growling Tigers immediately seized control with a pivotal 9-0 run.
Collins Akowe started the extra period with a power play, followed by senior Nic Cabañero’s crucial and-one, which fouled out Ateneo’s Dom Escobar.
After a basket from Mark Llemit, Akowe scored again to build a 94-85 lead. The final dagger came from Kyle Paranada, who drained a clutch triple to establish an unassailable ten-point lead, 97-87 and seal the win for UST.
“Triple overtime, throw away the numbers. It was all heart for both teams. Both teams were going down already because of fatigue and cramps, but we fought all the way. No one wanted to go out. So it boiled down to that last quarter, and between the two, we made more shots,” said UST assistant coach Juno Sauler, who sat in for head coach Pido Jarencio.
UST’s frontcourt were the driving force behind the historic victory, with Akowe logging an astounding 51 minutes and finishing with a double-double of 20 points and 19 rebounds, along with three steals and three blocks, while the gritty Gelo Crisostomo posted 18 points and 17 boards.
Ex-Blue Eagle Forthsky Padrigao also came through with 20 markers in his return to Katipunan.
Cabañero led the Growling Tiger with a stellar performance of 22 points and 11 rebounds.
“May advantage sila dahil home court nila, pero hindi namin inisip ‘yun eh. Home court namin or home court nila, ang iniisip lang talaga namin is kayang-kaya namin manalo for this game. Hindi naman mangyayari yun kundi dahil sa tiwala ng every coaches and players,” shared the star guard Cabañero.
On the other hand, Jared Bahay led Ateneo with 17 points but was unfortunately sidelined in the third extra period due to a shoulder injury.
The Blue Eagles’ valiant stand was also highlighted by Escobar’s 13 points and 20 rebounds double-double hustle along with five steals, and Kymani Ladi’s all-around effort of 14 points and nine rebounds, despite struggling with a 4-of-21 shooting clip.
UST will next face FEU on Wednesday as they hunt for the solo lead, while Ateneo looks to bounce back against the Bulldogs to close out their first-round schedule.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP Media Bureau
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