The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and the National University Bulldogs flex their powers on the second day of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila on Sunday, September 21.
The Growling Tigers, playing in their home turf, shocked the defending champions, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 87-67. The last time the Growling Tigers defeated the Fighting Maroons was on November 13, 2019, in the step-ladder semifinals.
“Dahil maganda ‘yung opening ceremony na idinaos ng UST, so gusto rin namin ng magandang performance para sa fans at sa mga naniniwala sa amin. Gusto lang namin mag-perform nang maayos para sa community,” Growling Tigers deputy coach Japs Cuan said after the game. The team’s head coach, Pido Jarencio, lost his voice.
Collins Akowe led the University of Santo Tomas in his debut game as a Tiger with a double-double performance of 29 points and 17 rebounds, while Kyle Paranada contributed 18 points.
For the Fighting Maroons, Mark Belmonte led the team with 12 points, while Harold Alarcon and Jacob Bayla were limited to 11 points apiece.
In the second game, the National University Bulldogs beat the University of the East Red Warriors, 72-57.
After the match, Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa reminded his boys that it’s still the beginning of the season, and there is still a long road ahead.
He said, “Mahaba pa ‘yung season. Very important for us is to become healthy muna. ‘Yun muna iniisip namin ngayon is maging healthy kami kasi mahaba ‘yung season. At least, masaya kami na nalagpasan namin ‘yung first game na walang nangyari sa players.”
Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 16 points, six rebounds, and five steals. Paul Francisco added 12 points while Kenshin Padrones almost had a double-double performance of 10 points and nine rebounds.
For the Red Warriors, Precious Momowei was limited to 12 points and 16 rebounds, while John Abate added 10 points.
Here are other things you might have missed on the second day of UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
29,17
In his debut for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, Collins Akowe exploded for 29 points and 17 rebounds.
In his post-match interview, Akowe revealed that he’s just paying back how the university and its students take care of him.
“It’s a great feeling, just taking advantage of our crowd. I just do what I [have] to do. I’m representing UST, I have to take it upon myself; they’re taking care of me, so this is the way I can pay them back,” he said.
“I think I’ve mentioned before that I never saw myself playing for UST. I never envisioned that. But I am grateful to be here, it’s a great atmosphere, a great community, and I love everyone here, man.”
The Growling Tigers will next face last season’s silver-medalists, the De La Salle University Green Archers, on Saturday, September 27, 4:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
71%
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1218926786944788&set=pcb.1218927060278094
Paul Francisco continued to improve his game with 12 points in 71% field goal efficiency as he provided a steady backup to Jake Figueroa throughout the game.
After the match, Francisco was honest in saying that their first-game win boosted their confidence coming into the season.
He said, “Thankful ako kasi sa first game namin, nakuha namin ito. Nagkaroon kami ng confidence sa mga paparating na games pa namin. ‘Yung gusto lang ni coach Jeff sa amin na nandoon lang ‘yung effort and aggressiveness namin kada game, kailangan every game ready kami.”
Francisco and the Bulldogs will try to sustain their winning ways when they face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Saturday, September 27, 2:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
