The UST Growling Tigers completed a perfect campaign in the 2026 Asiabasket NSAC. They won seven straight games, capping things off by rallying from a double-digit deficit to defeat the NU Bulldogs, 95-84, in the championship game on at the Blue Eagle Gym.
NU Takes Control Early
NU dictated the pace early behind the playmaking and scoring of Reinhard Jumamoy.
After helping the Bulldogs establish a slim 10-8 advantage, Jumamoy erupted for a personal 10-0 run that stretched the lead to 20-8. Dennis Laconsay later knocked down consecutive three-pointers as NU maintained control throughout the opening quarter and carried a 28-21 lead into the second period.
The Bulldogs continued to apply pressure in the second frame. A Jumamoy triple and free throws from Dywne Miranda pushed the lead to its largest at 43-31, threatening to put the game out of reach.
UST, however, slowly found its footing before halftime.
Mark Llemit sparked a rally with timely baskets, while Ivanne Calum and Koji Buenaflor provided valuable support to trim the deficit. The Growling Tigers closed the half on a strong note and entered the break trailing by only seven points, 52-45.
Third-Quarter Explosion Stems Tide for UST
Whatever momentum UST built late in the second quarter carried directly into the third.
The Growling Tigers came out of halftime with renewed energy, opening the period with a blistering 10-2 run. Collins Akowe ignited the rally with a floater before Llemit converted a pair of free throws that finally gave UST its first lead of the game, 55-54.
From there, the Tigers completely seized control.
Llemit, Gelo Crisostomo, and Amiel Acido spearheaded a relentless offensive assault that overwhelmed the Bulldogs on both ends of the floor. UST repeatedly attacked the basket, forcing NU into foul trouble while converting consistently from the free-throw line.
The España-based squad outscored the Bulldogs, 33-16, in the pivotal third quarter.
Acido punctuated the dominant stretch with a buzzer-beating three-pointer that capped a 23-14 run and handed UST a commanding 78-68 advantage heading into the final period.
NU attempted to mount one last comeback in the fourth quarter. Mohamed Diassana attacked the glass relentlessly and scored on consecutive possessions, helping the Bulldogs trim the deficit to just four points, 84-80.
But every time NU threatened, UST had an answer. Akowe converted a crucial basket inside before Acido drilled a timely three-pointer to restore breathing room for the Tigers. Moments later, Llemit delivered the dagger, knocking down a three-pointer with less than a minute remaining to extend the lead to 95-84.
UST then secured the defensive rebounds and milked the remaining clock to officially clinch the championship.
The Growling Tigers’ aggressive style proved decisive throughout the contest. UST converted 23 of its 29 free-throw attempts, while NU managed only five makes from seven trips to the line.
Mark Llemit Named Finals MVP, Pido Jarencio Gets Coach of the Tournament
Llemit led all scorers with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block off the bench as he earned Finals MVP honors. Acido added 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Akowe recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Crisostomo contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block.
Head coach Pido Jarencio was also named Coach of the Tournament.
For NU, Jumamoy paced the Bulldogs with 18 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. Carl Alfanta added 11 markers in the losing effort.
La Salle Claims Bronze Against San Beda
Earlier in the day, defending UAAP champion La Salle Green Archers secured third place after dismantling reigning NCAA champion San Beda Red Lions, 78-61.
Determined to avenge a group-stage loss to the Red Lions, the Green Archers imposed their will from the opening tip and never looked back.
Janti Miller spearheaded the attack against his former team, scoring a team-high 18 points while adding 3 rebounds. Luis Pablo, Mason Amos, and several other Green Archers provided balanced scoring throughout the contest.
The Green Archers carried a comfortable 39-27 advantage into halftime before breaking the game wide open in the third quarter. A 7-0 burst highlighted by a JC Macalalag three-pointer and consecutive baskets from Pablo extended the lead to 19 points.
San Beda struggled to generate consistent offense and endured multiple scoring droughts. Lawrence Hawkins tried to keep the Red Lions afloat with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Daniel Marcelo and JC Bonzalida added 9 points each.
Pablo finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds, while Amos added 11 markers as the Green Archers cruised to the bronze medal victory.
Despite La Salle falling short of the championship game, Jacob Cortez was named Tournament Most Valuable Player.
Cortez also headlined the NSAC All-Tournament Team alongside teammate Mason Amos, UST’s Gelo Crisostomo, NU’s Mohamed Diassana, and San Beda’s Daniel Marcelo.
