UST formally ends postseason drought

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Standings

*DLSU 12-2

*UP 10-3

*UST 7-7

UE 6-7

AdU 5-8

FEU 5-9

NU 5-9

Ateneo 4-9

Games on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre

8 a.m. – UPIS vs UE (JHS)

10 a.m. – FEU-D vs NUNS (JHS)

12 noon – DLSZ vs Ateneo (JHS)

2 p.m. – UST vs AdU (JHS)

5:30 p.m. – UP vs UE (Men)

University of Santo Tomas punched its ticket to the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four after a third quarter storm diminished Adamson University, 75-49, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Saturday night.

The Growling Tigers, who finished the eliminations with a 7-7 record, made their way back to the post-season festivities for the first time since Season 82 (2019) where they reached the Finals.

This victory assured UST of the third spot and it will face twice-to-beat-armed University of the Philippines in the semifinals.

“Unang-una, yung first quarter hindi namankami nag struggle pero masyadong good start yung Adamson then we recovered. Ang difference is yung second half, we became aggressive, we’re making our shots,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio, who led the school to the Final Four after a 2-12 record last season.

The Growling Tigers came out of the dugout at halftime with renewed urgency, dominating the third quarter 23-4 to turn a 29-28 close affair into a 52-32 blowout entering the final frame.

In that monster third period that completed their turnaround from a 14-3 deficit early in the first quarter, Amiel Acido and Nic Cabañero delivered eight points each.

“Super blessed. Happy ako with the guidance of coaches and management. Sobrang natutuwa ako even though I’m struggling in the first half they continue to cheer me up. Thank you sa UST community ginagawa ko talaga lahat, I stayed for three years. Meron pa akong one year next year,” said Cabañero, who endured three fruitless seasons before this.

Rookie Acido shot the lights out for a career game of 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from deep, while Cabañero added 13 points and eight rebounds.

The fourth-year combo guard just missed out on a third-straight scoring title with his 16.29 points, losing it to reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao (16.64 points) by just six points.

Malian center Mo Tounkara had 11 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks, while Kyle Paranada chipped in nine points and six assists.

The Soaring Falcons, despite the loss that dropped them to 5-8, still have a chance to qualify for the Final Four.

They need to win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles next Saturday while hoping that the UE Red Warriors lose to the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday to force a playoff for the last ticket.

Mathew Montebon was the lone Falcon in double digits with 14 points, 11 of which came in the first half.

Cedrick Manzano and Matt Erolon, who are huge parts of the Adamson system, struggled heavily, shooting 0-of-5 and 0-of-6 from the field, respectively.

The Scores:

UST 75 – Acido 14, Cabañero 13, Tounkara 11, Paranada 9, Padrigao 7, Llemit 7, Manaytay 6, Crisostomo 5, Estacio 3, Laure 0, Danting 0, Lane 0, Pangilinan 0.

AdU 49 –Montebon 14, Mantua 9, Anabo 7, Dignadice 5, Yerro 4, Barcelona 4, Fransman 3, Ramos 2, Manzano 1, Erolon 0, Ronzone 0, Ojarikre 0, Calisay 0, Barasi 0, Ignacio 0, Alexander 0.

Quarterscores: 16-18, 29-28, 52-32, 75-49.