The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are off to their best start in a decade as they defeated the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 92-80, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, October 15.

Leading by just two points in the fourth quarter, 82-80, Nic Cabañero, Collins Akowe, and Gelo Crisostomo sparked a late-game 10-0 run to seal their fifth victory in six games.

“That triple overtime win against Ateneo really boosted us up. The coaches helped us and motivated us to push our limits in this game despite our sloppy start. It’s all about team effort this game,” said graduating captain Cabañero after the game. Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio has yet to face the press.

Kyle Paranada led the Growling Tigers with 19 points and four assists, while Cabañero ended the match with 14 points, eight assists, and four steals. Gelo Crisostomo added 14 points, seven rebounds, and five steals, while Collins Akowe finished the game with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. Forth Padrigao had 11 points.

For the Tamaraws, Janrey Pasaol led the team with 22 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, while Mo Konateh had a double-double performance of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kirby Mongcopa and Jorick Bautisa each posted 11 points.

Earlier that day, the De La Salle University Green Archers outlasted the University of the East Red Warriors, 111-110, in a game that went into overtime.

Down by 21 points in the third quarter, the Green Archers stood their ground and forced overtime after tying the game at 98 apiece at the end of regulation. In overtime with 1:46 left, Earl Abadam and Jacob Cortez took the matter into their hands to have a three-point cushion, 110-107, with 23.3 seconds remaining.

“When I saw Kean [Baclaan] getting stretchered off the court, it motivated us to step up. Not only did I step up, but everyone did today. We all started wrong, but it’s all about how you end,” Cortez said after the game as Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson exited the press room because of high emotions.

Cortez finished the game with 26 points, five assists, and four blocks, while Earl Abadam had 18 points. Mike Phillips had a double-double performance of 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Kean Baclaan recorded 17 points and four assists before going down.

For the Red Warriors, Precious Momowei erupted for 42 points and 13 rebounds, while John Aabte added 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Welo Lingolingo added 24 points and six rebounds.

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With five members of the Growling Tigers tallying double-digit figures, top-scorer Kyle Paranada said it was a team effort that brought their team to win after win.

He said, “I think it was a team effort for everyone – for me and my teammates. This game, we just came back from a triple overtime, so the coaches kept reminding us it’s gonna be a tough game no matter how [many] losses [FEU] got or how many wins we got.”

“We just kept playing hard until the end, and that’s the result.”

Now on his final year, Paranada was just happy to see everyone rise to the challenge as the España-based squad is gearing to reclaim the championship they held almost two decades ago.

“I’m happy that everyone in our team can score, basically. That’s how deep our team is. In the next game, you don’t know who’s gonna get player of the game or who’s gonna score the most, and that’s how good our team is. We got a good and deep team where everyone is ready to play,” he ended.

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Jacob Cortez finished the game with 26 points, five assists, and four steals to notch their third victory in six games. Although Kean Baclaan went down in the fourth quarter when UE was leading 75-54, Cortez made sure that his brother’s downfall would turn into victory.

“It was a sign to step up – and not only did I step up, everybody stepped up today,” he said. “I was super eager, but then again, I had to lock in and focus because that tends to make me gigil or overdo it. But luckily, I was mature enough to stay composed and relaxed, and I think I got my teammates to stay composed as well – and that ended up with a win. So thank God for that.”

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For three seasons now, foreign student-athlete Precious Momowei has always been at the heart of the offense and defense of the University of the East Red Warriors. Momowei erupted for 42 points and 13 rebounds against the De La Salle University Green Archers, the same school that tried to recruit him in the past.

“At first, I was with Ateneo, but things weren’t working out. So UE was like the only school that gave me an opportunity to play in the UAAP, which I’m really grateful for,” he told Tiebreaker Times.

“At some point, La Salle was like knocking at the door, but I feel like I just had to stick with UE since everyone was just leaving. I thought that if everyone leaves us, who is gonna play for them? That was just my mentality, and I had to be here.”

At the end of the day, regardless of their win-loss record, Momowei didn’t have any regret that he stayed loyal to the school that gave him a chance.

“There’s absolutely no regrets – I love UE, I really wanna bring them to the Final Four and that has been my goal since Season 86. I think we got an opportunity in Season 87 but I was suspended against Ateneo. I think if I played against Ateneo, we would have stood a chance,” he said.

“But things happen for a reason, and I have no regrets staying at UE. I love UE, I love my teammates, and I love my school.”