The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers once again took down the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 67-59, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, November 15.

In the fourth quarter, Kymani Ladi trimmed their deficit to just four, 49-53, before Forthsky Padrigao fired back-to-back triples to extend their lead to 10, 59-49. Since then, the Growling Tigers made sure they did not need triple overtime to defeat the Katipunan-based squad.

“We’re glad that we got our much-needed win. Still happy with our progress at this stage of the season na we still want to improve each practice, each game, and hopefully we could translate it to our next game,” Padrigao said after the match as Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio once again missed the post-game interview.

Collins Akowe led the Growling Tigers with another double-double performance of 15 points and 16 rebounds, while Nic Cabañero contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Gelo Crisostomo finished the game with 10 points and nine rebounds.

For the Blue Eagles, Ladi was the only player to score in double digits with 14 points. Dom Escobar and Shawn Tuano had eight points apiece.

Earlier that day, the National University Bulldogs earned the twice-to-beat advantage as they defeated the University of the East Red Warriors, 83-74.

The Bulldogs started the game slowly, trailing the Red Warriors as much as 18 points in the first half of the game. Fortunately for them, the still-winless Red Warriors could not contain the 20-4 run of the Bulldogs to close the gap, 55-57, late in the third quarter.

“Nung first half, unusual, e. Akala siguro ng mga players namin na hindi na maglalaro ‘yung UE. Kami, masyadong relaxed. So pagpasok namin sa dugout, simple lang ang sinabi ko, ‘’Yun ba ang level na gusto niyong i-perform, e, papasok na tayo ng Final Four?’ If you want to succeed sa next level, kailangan ipakita nila ‘yung best nila,” said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa.

Jolo Manansala delivered big for the Bulldogs with 21 points, while Jake Figueroa added 14 points and seven rebounds. Omar John had a double-double performance of 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Paul Francisco added 12 points. PJ Palacielo finished the game with 11 points.

For the Red Warriors, Tope Lagat led the team with 17 points, while Precious Momowei delivered 14 points and 12 rebounds. Dylan Despi contributed 11 points, seven assists, and five steals, while Jhon Jimenez added 10 points.

1998

Before this season, the last time the Growling Tigers swept their elimination round games against the Blue Eagles happened way back in Season 61 in 1998.

“Nung natalo kami ng fourth straight games, gigil na agad kami bumawi. Ibinalik lang namin ‘yung identity namin. Fortunately, ito nagreresulta na sa panalo ulit,” Gelo Crisostomo said after the game.

In their next game, the Growling Tigers will face another championship contender, league-leader National University Bulldogs. For Collins Akowe, the game should always be a team effort instead of individual performance.

“I think I learned a lot, man. I learned about perseverance, unity, and not giving up. That will be critical in the final stretch of the tournament, which will dictate our Final Four hopes. It’s not about trying to bounce back against my former school or any other team,” Akowe told Tiebreaker Times.

“I’m just going to come out and play basketball for UST, for my guys.”

Before their next bout, Akowe admitted that one of the things he needs to do is focus on himself and the wins.

“I need to get my mind right. I need to take care of my mental health and recover. Right now, I’m just focusing on myself, because if I’m not healthy, I won’t be able to help my team. I have to focus on myself to help my team win,” he said.

“I don’t really care about my personal performance. I just want to win. These wins give us momentum, and we need to set the pace going into our game against NU. It’s not going to be easy.”

12

After 12 seasons, the National University Bulldogs will step into the postseason with a twice-to-beat advantage. The last time they had that incentive, they were defeated twice by the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers led by Karim Abdul and Jeric Teng in Season 76.

Back then, Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa was the coach of the team’s junior division, which he led to a perfect 16-0 sweep. Now, Napa tried to avoid the same mistake that happened many seasons ago.

“Natutunan ko na rin nung time na ‘yun na nagkaroon ng twice-to-beat, tapos nabalewala ‘yung lintik na twice-to-beat na ‘yun if I recall. So, there’s no assurance and there’s no guarantee kahit may twice-to-beat ka na makakaabot kasa Finals or sa championship,” he said after clinching the twice-to-beat advantage against the University of the East Red Warriors.

“Hindi naman namin iniisip kung ano na-a-achieve namin ngayon, e. Ang importante kasi namin ay ‘yung performance pa rin namin at the highest level. Bonus kung ano ‘yung na-achieve namin ngayon, pero kung hindi kami maglalaro at our level na gusto namin, balewala ‘yan.”

Trailing early in their match against the Red Warriors, Napa talked to the team during the halftime break to make sure that his message was delivered clearly and straight into the hearts and minds of his players.

“Number one, for sure doon sa sinabi ko sa dugout sa kanila, for sure nagising na sila doon. Actually, hindi naman totally nagalit ako, malakas lang kanina ‘yung boses ko. Pero ‘yung message na binigay ko sa kanila, ‘yung strong message na binigay ko sa kanila na kumbaga ‘yung admiration ninyo, ‘yung pangarap ninyo, ‘yung goal ninyo na gusto niyo ma-achieve, pag kayo natalo sa ganito, kalimutan niyo na,” he revealed.

“Itong mga game na tio, hindi dapat tine-take lightly. Medyo doon kami nagkulang [at] nagkamali.”