After suffering their first loss of the season against the National University Bulldogs, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers bounced back quickly as they defeated the University of the East Red Warriors, 111-99, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, October 4.

The Growling Tigers were just leading by a thread at halftime, 59-55, before Nic Cabañero, Amiel Acido, and Collins Akowe ignited a 24-12 run in the third quarter to have a breather coming into the fourth, 83-67.

In the last quarter, Cabañero didn’t stop as they built a 20-point lead after his triple, 100-80. The lead was too big for the Red Warriors to catch up as they absorbed their fourth straight loss.

“Especially with the way we prepared for this team, sobra ‘yung kumpyansa ni coach Pido [Jarencio], especially our vets in Nic, Forthsky. We are not taking anything here for granted. This is the UAAP, that’s the beauty of the UAAP – anything can happen,” said Growling Tigers assistant coach Juben Ledesma.

Cabañero led the Growling Tigers with 22 points and eight assists, while Forth Padrigao contributed 18 points, six assists, and six steals. Collins Akowe also bounced back with a double-double production of 18 points and 17 rebounds. Amiel Acido and Mark Llemit added 11 points apiece.

For the Red Warriors, John Abate finished the game with 27 points and seven assists, while Dray Caoile scored 23 points. Precious Momowei had a double-double performance of 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Mo Tanedo had 11 points and six assists.

Later that day, the defending champions University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons dealt the National University Bulldogs their first loss of the season, 66-59. It was also the first time the Fighting Maroons won a game at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

Miguel Yniguez, Francis Nnoruka, and Harold Alarcon combined their efforts to erase a 13-point deficit in the third quarter and improve their ranking to a 2-2 win-loss record. Three minutes remaining in the game, the Fighting Maroons extended their lead to eight, 58-50, which was already too much to handle for the Bulldogs.

“In the collegiate scene, players would come and go. We just got to move forward, and every player here is handpicked. Meaning, they are unique in their own way. These guys are here for a reason, and that’s because they offer something to the table beyond their talent,” said Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon.

Ine the pivotal fourth quarter, the Fighting Maroons showed off their defensive prowess, limiting the Bulldogs to just 10 points in a dismal 2-of-13 field goals.

Luanzon explained, “‘Yung minor adjustments namin, especially nung half time… We felt that every screen that they were giving us, kasi this is a heavy ball screen team. It felt like every screen would hit our guards hard.”

“But it’s a two-man game and a five-man action, so what’s important is everybody’s involved in communication.”

Francis Nnoruka led the defending champions with 14 points and six rebounds, while Jalen Stevens contributed 10 points and five rebounds.

For the Red Warriors, Nash Enriquez finished the game with 16 points, while Gelo Santiago added 10 points.

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Graduating player Nic Cabañero almost had a double-double performance after finishing the game with 22 points and eight assists. Leading the team once again, Cabañero led the Growling Tigers to another victory.

“Motivation lang talaga namin ‘yung past game against NU. Gustong-gusto namin bumawi, but ‘yung bawi namin ay hindi gigil,” he said after the match.

UST’s 111-point victory is the second-most points scored by a team in the UAAP after the pandemic era.

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The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ victory against the National University Bulldogs was all thanks to their 6-foot-5 forward Miguel Yniguez, who scored eight of his points in the third quarter to virtually erase the lead of the Bulldogs, 48-49, coming into the last quarter.

“It feels super good. It just really feels good to have the trust of my coaches and my teammates, who hit me when I’m open. It felt good to finally deliver for them and help them win this game,” he said after the match. He was scoreless in his last two games.

“Props to the game plan, all my coaches executing the game plan, and all my teammates executing defense and offense – we really pulled through in the end. It felt really good, honestly. Those were my first points in the UAAP. It just feels super great. It felt great to make the community proud.”