The UST Growling Tigers are in the Final Four of Asiabasket NSAC 2026 after beating the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the quarterfinals. And for UST guard Mark Llemit, the high-stakes stage of the semifinals wouldn’t be unusual territory for him.
“Parang sa akin kasi, pagdating kasi sa semifinals, parang normal na lahat eh,” he told reporters after helping UST beat Ateneo on Saturday. “’Yun nga, every possession importante na, so ‘yun, pagta-trabahuhan na lang namin.
Mark Llemit Leads the Way
In the Growling Tigers’ 86-84 victory over the Blue Eagles, the trio of Mark Llemit, Ammiel Acido, and Collins Akowe undoubtedly stood out.
And with the team’s usual scorers such as Nic Cabañero, Forthsky Padrigao, and Kyle Paranada now having graduated, it is time for the younger core to take on bigger responsibilities for the squad.
“’Yun nga, nag-uusap-usap kami. Kasi last two games namin sa Filoil [EcoOil Preseason Cup], puro kami parang sa dulo yung kulang,” said the third-year guard.
In the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the Growling Tigers are 0-2 in their first two games, losing tightly contested matches against the UP Fighting Maroons and the La Salle Green Archers—games in which UST lost control only in the latter part, resulting in defeats.
“Parang ‘yun nga, nag-uusap-usap kami na kailangan na namin mag-step up, tulungan ‘yung team, and ‘yun nga, maging confident lang sa sarili,” said Llemit.
In the playoffs against Ateneo in Asiabasket, the trio of Acido, Akowe, and Llemit definitely held the fort until the final buzzer.
Mark Llemit was named Best Player of the Game after recording a team-high 21 points to go along with 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Shooting guard Acido had 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Akowe added 17 points, 8 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.
Up Next: La Salle Green Archers
The men in black and gold will now face the La Salle Green Archers, the reigning UAAP Season 88 champions, in the semifinals on May 30.
DLSU is coming off a victory over the previously unbeaten FEU Tamaraws in their separate quarterfinal matchup, once again displaying the playoff experience they have built through years of competing in championship series in the UAAP.
This coming Saturday, Mark Llemit and the rest of the UST Growling Tigers will once again be tested as they aim to secure a spot in the finals of the Asiabasket NSAC 2026.
