UAAP: UST downs Ateneo to boost Final Four bid

The University of Santo Tomas took down Ateneo de Manila University, 67–59, to boost its bid for a Final Four slot in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Growling Tigers also completed an elimination round sweep of the Blue Eagles after winning their first round encounter, 98-89, which went into triple overtime. UST also notched its second straight win after a four-game losing skid.

UST held a slim 46–44 lead with 3:09 left in the third period, which closed at 53–46 as the Tigers began to pull away.

Kymani Ladi drilled a triple to open the fourth period, but Forth Padrigao responded with back-to-back threes to give UST a 10-point lead.

The España-based squad continued to pound on Ateneo despite the Blue Eagles cutting the lead to five, 64–59, with 23 seconds remaining. However, free throws from Gelo Crisostomo and a split from Mark Llemit sealed the victory for UST.

Collins Akowe led the Growling Tigers with 15 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks, and two assists, while Nic Cabañero stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Crisostomo, meanwhile, was a rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points.

Kymani Ladi was the only double-digit scorer for Ateneo with 14 points.

With the win, UST moved up to third in the standings at 7–5, while Ateneo slipped to 5–6.

Scores:

UST 67 – Akowe 15, Cabañero 14, Crisostomo 10, Acido 9, Paranada 7, Padrigao 6, Llemit 2, Buenaflor 2, Danting 2, Estacio 0, Calum 0.

Ateneo 59 – Ladi 14, Escobar 8, Tuano 8, Bahay 7, Adili 6, Lazaro 4, Bongo 4, Espina 2, Espinosa 2, Lazo 2, Fjellvang 2.

Quarters: 25-18, 35-33, 53-46, 67-59.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News