The Ateneo Blue Eagles had no answer for the storm that swept through the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, as the UST Growling Tigers turned a tight first half into an 80-68 rout to close out the first round of the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Growling Tigers finished the first round at 4-3 and made up for a painful home defeat to the Blue Eagles two years ago. They have now won two in a row after previously shocking erstwhile league-leader FEU Tamaraws. Ateneo, on the other hand, lost its third straight to drop to 3-4 and seventh place.
UST Turns Up the Jets
It was close for a while. UST trailed, 27-32, late in the second quarter before it flipped the game with seven straight points to take a 34-32 lead at the break. Then came the avalanche. Amiel Acido, Kirk Cañete, and Mark Llemit combined for the first 15 points of the third quarter, powering a 22-0 run that pushed the lead to 49-32. UST outscored Ateneo, 29-10, in the frame and carried a 63-42 cushion into the fourth, which was more than enough to coast home.
“Na-inspire din ang mga players. Thank you sa support ng UST community. We needed that nung second half kasi dikit ‘yung first half,” said UST assistant coach Japs Cuan. “Very special to play for our school on our home court. We’re thankful for the support kasi practice pa lang namin nakikita na namin sila nakapila so ayaw din naman namin sayanagin ‘yung effort nila na pumunta dito.”
Growling Effort Wins It for Home Team
Collins Akowe, the Nigerian big man, led the way with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Acido scored 11 of his 15 points in that decisive third quarter and added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Llemit also had 15 points and 6 rebounds, and Koji Buenaflor chipped in 11 points and 4 rebounds.
“Credits sa teammates ko na kumbaga naging disiplinado po sila na gawin ‘yung roles nila sa loob ng court. ‘Yun din ang naging boost namin kasi ‘yung energy at effort ng mga kasama namin sobrang taas,” said Acido.
Rookie Kieffer Alas paced Ateneo with 18 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and two steals, but he needed 20 shots to get there and made only 5. Andrew Bongo was the lone other Blue Eagle in double figures with 13. Jared Bahay struggled even more, going 1-for-13 from the field for 3 points.
The win capped a perfect homestand for UST. The Tiger Cubs beat the Adamson Baby Falcons, 112-56, in the 16U division, and the Growling Tigresses took down the Ateneo women, 90-67.
