The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and the National University Bulldogs keep their record spotless at 2-0 after defeating their respective opponents in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday, September 27.

At the end of the third quarter, the Growling Tigers were trailing the De La Salle University Green Archers, 72-74. Tied at 79 apiece in the fourth quarter, the España-based squad slowly pulled away thanks to Kyle Paranada’s two-point layup and Amiel Acido’s three-point jumper.

The Green Archers continued to play catch-up the rest of the game, but Collins Akowe, Nic Cabañero, and Forth Padrigao made sure they won the game, 93-84.

“The darkest part of the game was when we were down by [12], but you saw that UST last year is not the same as UST this year. Medyo mas confident na kami dito sa laro na ito,” said Peter Martin, the assistant coach of the Growling Tigers.

Nic Cabañero led the team with 27 points and six rebounds, while Collins Akowe had a monster double-double performance of 20 points and 19 rebounds. Amiel Acido contributed 13 points and six rebounds, while Forth Padrigao finished the game with 12 points and nine assists.

For the Green Archers, Jacob Cortez had 17 points, while Earl Abadam contributed 11.

Earlier that day, the Bulldogs continued to keep their spotless record after handily defeating the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 84-68. Leading by just three points coming into the fourth quarter, 55-52, the Bulldogs made sure they would weather the onslaught of the Tamaraws.

Behind Jolo Manansala, Paul Francisco, and PJ Palacielo, the Bulldogs extended their lead to double digits, 69-58, and never looked back.

“Nung halftime, ni-remind na we need to stay aggressive, pero nung lumabas kami naging flat kami. Nawala ‘yung aggression on defense, that’s why nakakuha ng momentum ‘yung FEU. So, I needed to reshuffle right away para makakuha ng right combination. Good thing ‘yung ni-reshuffle ko na players nag-step up,” said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa.

Omar John led the Bulldogs with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Jake Figueroa and Manansala each scored 13 points.

For the Tamaraws, Janrey Pasaol and Kirby Mongcopa had 16 points apiece, while Jorick Bautista finished the game with 13 points.

Here are other things you might have missed in the September 27 games of UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

16

It took the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers a decade to finally beat the De La Salle University Green Archers in the UAAP. The last time the España-based squad won against the Taft-based cagers was in the second round of eliminations in Season 78 on October 11, 2015.

At the heart of that first win in a decade was Collins Akowe, who finished the game with 20 points and 19 rebounds.

He said after the game, “My coaches and teammates [encouraged me at halftime]. Echo (Laure) said the first half is done, we need you in the second half, we need you to be aggressive.”

12, 9

In his season debut, Forthsky Padrigao finished the game with 12 points, nine assists, three steals, and three rebounds. While serving a one-game suspension on UST’s opening game day win against the defending champions, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Padriago was already preparing for their game against the Green Archers.

“I think ito siguro ‘yung pinaka nag-prepare talaga ako versus La Salle. ‘Yung scouting and the rest, it’s from the coaches na. We prepared as a team and individually, and then ‘yun lang, I know na La Salle ‘yung first game ko, e, so ‘yung preparations ko dinirect ko towards La Salle,” he said after the game.

Despite their perfect 2-0 record early in the season, Padrigao reiterated that the season is far from over and everything can happen along the way.

“We just stick to our principles, what we do as a team, we’re glad na we’re progressing, but mahaba pa ‘yung season, e. This is just the first two game, and a lot of teams ngayon amped up their lineup, mas magagaling na, mas competitive, so you can never count anyone here sa liga natin,” he ended.

16,9

For one year, Omar John stayed on the sidelines cheering for the National University Bulldogs when the team decided to go with Malian big man Mo Diassana as their foreign student-athlete, who unfortunately suffered an ACL injury, ending his season early.

Now that he’s included in the lineup, John went all out in showcasing what he practiced for a whole year.

“Throughout last year, I may not have played, but I did not relax. I worked hard, not only physically, but spiritually and mentally also,” he told Tiebreaker Times. “I know coming into this season, I have to show I’m still here to help my team. I think we deserve more than just reaching the Final Four. I used that for preparation.”