UST downs Ateneo to spice up Closing 4 bid; NU clinches twice-to-beat

UST fends off Ateneo in an important battle of UAAP Season 88 males’s basketball Closing 4 chasers, whereas surging, top-ranked NU clinches its first twice-to-beat berth in 12 years

MANILA, Philippines – UST strengthened its maintain of a UAAP Season 88 males’s basketball Closing 4 spot after dispatching the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 67-59, on Saturday, November 15, on the Araneta Coliseum.

The win improved the Growling Tigers’ file to 7-5, placing them two video games forward of the fifth-seeded Adamson Hovering Falcons and Ateneo with an identical 5-6 data.

“It is a must-win for us, and the gamers delivered,” UST assistant coach Japs Cuan stated in Filipino. “We give credit score to the boys as a result of they have been laser-focused at the moment, particularly within the free throws.”

Exorcising its previous charity-stripe woes, UST shot 22-of-28 (78.6%) from the road to capitalize on 22 fouls drawn.

Collins Akowe dominated anew with 15 factors and 16 rebounds in 36 minutes of taking part in time, whereas Nic Cabañero recorded 14 factors, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Kymani Ladi led Ateneo with 14 factors on 6-of-21 taking pictures, however no different Blue Eagle scored in double digits as Dom Escobar and Shawn Tuano every scored 8 within the shedding effort.

UST now rides a two-game successful streak after a four-game skid.

With the win, the Tigers swept the Blue Eagles in a males’s basketball season for the primary time since Season 61, in response to UAAP statistician Pong Ducanes. UST took down Ateneo within the first triple-overtime sport of the Closing 4 period final October 11 within the first spherical.

Surging NU clinches first twice-to-beat berth in 12 years

In the meantime, the NU Bulldogs notched the twice-to-beat benefit within the Closing 4 after avoiding collapse towards the UE Pink Warriors, 83-74.

NU improved to an 11-2 file, whereas UE dropped to 0-13 within the season.

It’s the Bulldogs’ first top-two eliminations end since Season 76 in 2013.

The Bulldogs trailed for many of the sport earlier than outscoring the Pink Warriors within the fourth quarter, 27-13, to steal the win.

UE didn’t sink a area aim till the 1:14 mark of the fourth quarter, courtesy of Topher Lagat’s jumper, to stay winless in Season 88 and lengthen a doubtful 18-game slide relationship again to 2024.

Jolo Manansala led NU with 17 factors on 7-of-10 taking pictures from the sector. Jake Figueroa had 14 factors, 7 rebounds, and three assists, whereas Omar John chipped in 14 markers and 12 rebounds.

Lagat paced UE with 17 factors, whereas Valuable Momowei put up 14 factors, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The Scores

First Recreation

NU 83 – Manansala 21, Figueroa 14, John 14, Francisco 12, Palacielo 11, Enriquez 5, Parks 4. Tulabut 2, Garcia 0, Jumamoy 0, Dela Cruz 0, Reyes 0, Navarro 0, Solomon 0, Padrones 0.

UE 74 – Lagat 17, Momowei 14, Despi 11, Jimenez 10, Lingolingo 9, Datumalim 5, Cruz-Dumont 3, Tañedo 3, Robles 2, Malaga 0, Distrito 0.

Quarters: 17-21, 31-42, 56-61, 83-74.

Second Recreation

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.

– Rappler.com