MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers finally tasted a victory in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball. It took down Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 68-62, on Sunday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Nicael Cabañero led the way with 23 points, with 11 coming in the third quarter, while Capiznon center Christian Manaytay added 10 markers and 11 rebounds as the Growling Tigers ended the first round of eliminations with a 1-6 win-loss slate.
In the process, the Growling Tigers also snapped a 19-game losing streak dating back to their 69-60 victory against Adamson University Falcons at the start of UAAP Season 85 on Oct. 1, 2022.
“This will give us confidence going into the next round. We’re going to be happy today and we’re going to work again…let’s see what our adjustments. Continue kami to show pride, puso, palaban,” Cabañero said.
The Growling Tigers were in control of the game from the start as they took a 22-17 lead after the first 10 minutes and were ahead at 44-43 at the half before the Tamaraws made a run to take a 45-44 edge on a three-pointer by Xyrus Torres.
Cabañero then took over the offense for the Growling Tigers as they regained a 55-50 advantage, which went up to its biggest at 65-54 courtesy of baskets from Manaytay, Ivanne Calum, Paul Manalang, and Miguel Pangilinan.
The Tamaraws, however, made its last push as they cut the deficit to 62-67 after a three-pointer by L-Jay Gonzales, but the Growling Tigers got a split free throw from Cabañero to seal the victory.
“Masarap yung feeling kasi after a long time we won. Credit to the boys, they really gave it all. Nagsama-sama kami so yung bonding nila helped,” said Growling Tigers assistant coach Japs Cuan.
Gonzales, Torres, and Jorick Bautista all finished with 11 markers apiece to lead the Tamaraws, which saw its two-game winning run snapped to drop to 2-5 win-loss slate in the standings.
Meanwhile, defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (4-3) scored a 99-89 overtime victory against University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (6-1). Mason Amos top-scored for the Blue Eagles with 19 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
UST 68 – Cabañero 23, Manaytay 10, Pangilinan 9, Crisostomo 8, Duremdes 7, Calum 7, Manalang 4, Llemit 0, Laure 0, Gesalem 0, Lazarte 0, Esmena 0.
FEU 62 – Gonzales 11, Torres 11, Bautista 11, Sleat 8, Tempra 7, Faty 7, Ona 5, Competente 2, Alforque 0, Bagunu 0, Montemayor 0, Buenaventura 0, Felipe 0.
Quarterscores: 22-17, 38-34, 55-50, 68-62.
