MANILA, Philippines – After a roller-coaster elimination spherical, the Tigers are again on a excessive.
UST secured its Ultimate 4 spot after toppling the NU Bulldogs, 80-71, within the UAAP Season 88 males’s basketball match on the Mall of Asia Enviornment on Sunday, November 23.
The win gave the Rising Tigers their eighth win in 13 video games this season, securing the third seed for the second straight season to guide a date with the twice-to-beat UP Preventing Maroons within the Ultimate 4.
Regardless of the loss, the Bulldogs ended the elimination spherical on high with an 11-3 sate, additionally toting a twice-to-beat bonus within the semifinals.
“It’s not all about me. It’s a crew,” UST head coach PIdo Jarencio mentioned in Filipino, his first post-game press convention this season. “From the employees, to our boys, to the gamers, we’re a crew, a household. We’re all on this collectively. Win or lose, we’re all on this collectively.”
UST began the season at 5-1, however misplaced 4 straight to drop to 5-5 halfway by the second spherical. The Tigers have since received their final three video games to punch their Ultimate 4 ticket.
“Lots of people have been doubting, if this UST crew will make it…We’re right here,” Jarencio mentioned.
Gelo Crisostomo topped the scoring with 13 factors and 5 rebounds, whereas Collins Akowe, Mark Llemit, and Amiel Acido every had 11 factors to attain the all-important win.
NU led 52-45 late within the third quarter till the Tigers stormed again with a 21-3 run to zoom to a 66-55 lead en path to the victory.
Omar John led NU with 12 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas Nath Tulabut put up 10 markers because the Bulldogs opted to relaxation their predominant weapons, reminiscent of Nash Enriquez and Jake Figueroa, who every had 3 factors.
The Bulldogs now await the fourth seed after the ultimate elimination video games on Wednesday, November 26, with the La Salle Inexperienced Archers, Ateneo Blue Eagles, and FEU Tamaraws nonetheless within the working for the final semifinal spot.
UST and FEU battle at 2 pm, whereas La Salle and Ateneo conflict at 4:30 pm on the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
Earlier, the Blue Eagles stored their Ultimate 4 hopes alive after eliminating the Adamson Hovering Falcons, 72-61.
Ateneo improved to 6-7 with yet one more sport remaining on their schedule in opposition to rival La Salle (7-6), whereas Adamson ended its season at 6-8.
With the Blue Eagles up by 13 with three minutes left within the sport, 69-56, Ateneo’s Waki Espina drilled a triple on the 2:46 mark to assist push back Adamson’s late push en path to the win, which snapped their two-game skid.
Dominic Escobar led Ateneo with 14 factors on 7-of-14 taking pictures from the sector, whereas Espina and Kymani Ladi every had 13 markers.
Adamson leaned on Matt Erolon, who put up 24 factors, whereas Ray Allen Torres chipped in 16 factors to cap off their season.
Main by simply three factors after the primary quarter, 15-12, the Blue Eagles outscored the Falcons, 50-32, to grab management the remainder of the way in which.
“Adamson has proven all yr lengthy what a tricky crew they’re to place away. They’ve had a number of the extra exceptional comeback wins and we all know they’re able to taking a knockout punch and getting up in some way,” mentioned Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
“I give credit score to our crew for hanging on on this one and making the performs down the stretch that it took.”
The Scores
First Recreation
Ateneo 72 – Escobar 14, Ladi 13, Espina 13, Tuano 11, Adili 8, Lazaro 4, Espinosa 3, Bongo 3, Lazo 3, Bahay 0, Fjellvang 0, Gamber 0.
Adamson 61 – Erolon 24, Torres 16, Manzano 7, Montebon 4, Fransman 4, Ojarikre 2, Perez 2, A. Ronzone 2, Anabo 0, Medina 0, Cañete 0, Barcelona 0, Tumaneng 0, C. Ronzone, Demisana 0, Jaymalin 0.
Quarters: 15-12, 42-27, 65-39, 72-61.
Second Recreation
UST 80 – Crisostomo 13, Akowe 11, Llemit 11, Acido 11, Paranada 9, Cabañero 9, Padrigao 8, Buenaflor 7, Estacio 1, Laure 0, Calum 0.
NU 71 – John 12, Tulabut 10, Garcia 9, Manansala 8, Palacielo 6, Padrones 6, Dela Cruz 4, Parks 3, Figueroa 3, Jumamoy 3, Enriquez 3, Solomon 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 16-19, 37-38, 58-53, 80-71.
– Rappler.com
