The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers clawed their way to a crucial victory Wednesday, overpowering the University of the East Red Warriors 109-97. This win provides breathing room in the tightly contested race for the fourth seed in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
UST exploded from the opening tip, building a commanding 33-16 lead and never relinquishing control. The Tigers, previously struggling through a four-game losing streak, rediscovered their early-season form – a form that saw them upset top contenders like University of the Philippines and De La Salle University.
Nic Cabañero led the scoring charge with 19 points, while Collins Akowe dominated the boards with a powerful 16-point, 16-rebound double-double. A remarkable testament to the team’s depth, all but one of the 15 players on the UST roster contributed to the score.
Despite a late rally from UE, fueled by Wello Lingolingo’s 18 points, the Growling Tigers responded with a decisive 8-0 run, securing their victory. The Red Warriors, continuing a long stretch of hardship, fell to 0-11, extending their losing streak to a disheartening 18 games.
The women’s game saw an even more dominant performance from UST. Kent Pastrana delivered a career-high 35 points, leading her team to a resounding 125-50 victory over UE. This win brings the UST women’s team closer to completing an undefeated season.
Saturday promises a pivotal matchup as UST faces off against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, a team closely trailing them in the standings. The stakes are high as both teams battle for position in the final stretch towards the Final Four.
The upcoming schedule at the Smart Araneta Coliseum includes a full day of action. The games begin at 7:30 a.m. with a U16 clash between UST and ADMU, followed by UE versus NUNS (U16) at 9:30 a.m. The women’s and men’s games between UE and NU are set for 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively, culminating in the highly anticipated UST vs. ADMU men’s game at 4:30 p.m. and the women’s matchup at 7:00 p.m.
UST’s recent success, coupled with Pastrana’s explosive performance, signals a team peaking at the right time. The Growling Tigers are determined to build on this momentum and solidify their place among the league’s elite.
