UST star Nic Cabañero flexes his muscles after scoring a basket against Ateneo in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball at Blue Eagle Gym. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Displaying grit, University of Santo Tomas outlasted Ateneo, 98-89, in triple overtime in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Blue Eagle Gym Saturday night.
The thrilling duel was the first UAAP men’s basketball game in the Final Four era that went to three OTs.
READ: UAAP: UST breaks century mark behind hot-shooting Nic Cabañero
It also marked the first time in 20 years that the Blue Eagle Gym staged a men’s basketball doubleheader and the Growling Tigers were there to play spoilers.
UST had three players scoring at least 20 points, led by Nic Cabañero, who fired a game-high 22 that went with 11 rebounds.
Collins Akowe, who logged 51 minutes, also notched a double-double with 20 points and 19 rebounds with three steals and three blocks, while former Blue Eagle Forthsky Padrigao had 20 of his own in a triumphant homecoming.
“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 [overtime], and between the two, we made more shots,” said UST assistant coach Juno Sauler, who filled in for head coach Pido Jarencio.
The Tigers, who hiked their record to 4-1, scored nine unanswered points in the third extra session to open up a 94-85 lead after Akowe’s basket at the 2:17 mark that took the fight out of the exhausted Blue Eagles.
READ: UAAP: UST bounces back, clobbers UE in men’s basketball
“They had homecourt advantage, but we were not thinking about that. We just knew that we could win this game and that won’t happen without the players and coaches’ trust,” said Cabañero.
Gelo Crisostomo also had a career game for UST, tallying 18 points, highlighted by crucial baskets, and 17 rebounds.
The Tigers go for a third straight victory and the solo lead in the standings on Wednesday against Far Eastern University at Mall of Asia Arena.
Ateneo guard Jared Bahay came alive in extra time to finish with 17 points but missed the third OT due to a shoulder injury.
The Eagles have now lost back-to-back games and dropped to 4-2.
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