Down in the doldrums for most of the past decade, the UST Growling Tigers finally find their way back to the UAAP Final Four as the Adamson Falcons blow a big chance to boost their own bid
MANILA, Philippines – University of Santos Tomas showed it’s back in fighting form.
Long hoping to relive their glory years, the UST Growling Tigers finally clinched a spot in the UAAP Final Four after mauling the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 75-49, to wrap up their elimination campaign with a third-best 7-7 record in Season 87 men’s basketball on Saturday, November 16, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“I’m so happy to be able to contribute not only for myself, but for the whole team as well, since [UST] had wanted to return to the Final Four for quite some time,” rookie Amiel Acido Acido said in Filipino.
Acido found his mark as he nailed four three-pointers for a personal season-best of 14 points.
With the lopsided win, the Tigers overcame a rough patch this season and returned to the Final Four for the first time since 2019.
That 2019 run was a blip, though, in UST’s near-decade rut as the Tigers finished dead last in the last two seasons, as well as in 2016 and 2017.
UST crashed to the bottom in four of the last seven seasons, and finished no better than sixth in other years during that span.
At one point, the Tigers even suffered an embarrassing 19-game losing skid, bridging two seasons in 2022 and 2023.
But UST already put that all behind and joined La Salle (12-2) and UP (10-3) in the Final Four, leaving UE (6-7) and Adamson (5-8) to fight for the last semifinal berth.
Adamson, which got off to a strong 14-3 start against UST, blew a chance to boost its own semis bid.
What was a close 29-28 lead for the España-based team at halftime turned into a scoring deluge, with the Tigers outscoring the Falcons, 23-4, in the third quarter to secure an insurmountable 52-32 spread by the start of the payoff period.
UST led by as many as 28 points, 75-47, after Kyle Paranada swished a three with 44 seconds to go.
Nic Cabañero supplied an additional 13 points and 8 rebounds as he secured his first semifinal appearance in four seasons with UST.
Mathew Montebon led Adamson with 14 points in almost 19 minutes of play.
Although their path to the Final Four just got harder, the Falcons still have a shot at advancing by forging a playoff for the last Final Four spot.
But Adamson must hope that UE loses its final game against UP on Wednesday, November 20, while also winning its own game against also-ran Ateneo on Saturday, November 23.
In this scenario, UE and Adamson will end up tied at 6-8, leading to a do-or-die match for the last semis seat.
The Scores
UST 75 – Acido 14, Cabañero 13, Tounkara 11, Paranada 9, Padrigao 7, Llemit 7, Manaytay 6, Crisostomo 5, Estacio 3, Laure 0, Danting 0, Lane 0, Pangilinan 0.
Adamson 49 – Montebon 14, Mantua 9, Anabo 7, Dignadice 5, Yerro 4, Barcelona 4, Fransman 3, Ramos 2, Manzano 1, Erolon 0, Ronzone 0, Ojarikre 0, Calisay 0, Barasi 0, Ignacio 0, Alexander 0.
Quarters: 16-18, 29-28, 52-32, 75-49.
– Rappler.com
