The University of Santo Tomas finally notched a victory in Season 80 of the UAAP, doing so in their final game of the season on Sunday afternoon, an 88-85 squeaker over the University of the East at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Addressing the media after the game, Boy Sablan said, "Siyempre, masaya kasi hindi kami na-zero," with the prospect of a winless season staring them at the face and seven straight losses dating back to last season.
The Growling Tigers rode on the heroics of Regie Basibas, who scored twelve of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, to go with nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while also making crucial plays late. They also relied on a monstrous double-double performance from Steve Akomo, who matched a season-high twenty rebounds and six blocks with eighteen points, as well as from EJ Caunan's fourteen points and eleven rebounds.
It was a nip-and-tuck game all throughout, especially in the final stretch, with UST establishing a 77-72 lead with under three minutes left. Jason Varilla would convert a four-point play in the next possession to reduce it back down to one point, 77-76. The Growling Tigers would re-erect a five-point advantage with Marvin Lee and Basibas at 84-79 with under a minute remaining, but the Red Warriors kept themselves within one possession. Unfortunately, after Oliver de Guzman's free throws made it a three-point lead, Alvin Pasaol was unable to get a final attempt out to preserve the narrow victory.
Pasaol finished with eighteen points and five rebounds, putting a bow to a season in which he gained national prominence. (c/o Kim Karlo Castro)
Addressing the media after the game, Boy Sablan said, "Siyempre, masaya kasi hindi kami na-zero," with the prospect of a winless season staring them at the face and seven straight losses dating back to last season.
The Growling Tigers rode on the heroics of Regie Basibas, who scored twelve of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, to go with nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while also making crucial plays late. They also relied on a monstrous double-double performance from Steve Akomo, who matched a season-high twenty rebounds and six blocks with eighteen points, as well as from EJ Caunan's fourteen points and eleven rebounds.
It was a nip-and-tuck game all throughout, especially in the final stretch, with UST establishing a 77-72 lead with under three minutes left. Jason Varilla would convert a four-point play in the next possession to reduce it back down to one point, 77-76. The Growling Tigers would re-erect a five-point advantage with Marvin Lee and Basibas at 84-79 with under a minute remaining, but the Red Warriors kept themselves within one possession. Unfortunately, after Oliver de Guzman's free throws made it a three-point lead, Alvin Pasaol was unable to get a final attempt out to preserve the narrow victory.
Pasaol finished with eighteen points and five rebounds, putting a bow to a season in which he gained national prominence. (c/o Kim Karlo Castro)
No comments:
Post a Comment