University of Santo Tomas’ Nic Cabañero against University of the East in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — University of Santo Tomas finally ended its four-game skid in UAAP Season 88 men's basketball after trouncing University of the East, 109-97, on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Nic Cabañero had his fingerprints in the end game to complete his 19 points, while Collins Akowe posted a 16-point, 16-rebound outing for the Growling Tigers who recorded their sixth win in 11 games, currently enough for solo fourth as the Final 4 race heats up.
"Nag-uusap at tulungan lang kami kung saan pa kami dapat mag-improve lalo na sa mental aspects," said Cabañero, who also got support from Gelo Crisostomo (14 points, seven rebounds), Forth Padrigao (11 points), and Amiel Acido (10 points, seven rebounds).
UST set the tone early, opening a 20-6 run that stretched into the second quarter. Inside hits from Lorenzo Bangco and Cabañero, combined with a free throw by Akowe, turned a 16-10 lead into a commanding 36-16 advantage.
After a floater by Echo Laure pushed UST’s lead to a game-high 27 points at 82-55 in the third quarter, UE mounted a 28-10 run to cut the deficit to just nine points, 92-83, with 4:32 remaining.
However, the Growling Tigers quickly regained control. An Acido layup and back-to-back triples from Mark Llemit—his first points after missing in the first three quarters—extended the lead to an insurmountable 17 points, 100-83, with 3:48 left.
The Red Warriors mounted a final comeback and got within nine points, 102-93, but Cabañero took charge by draining consecutive lay-ins for a 106-93 lead with still 1:31 left.
And while Jadden Datumalim and Wello Lingolingo each scored two-pointers to keep the Red Warriors within striking distance, 97-107, the Tigers' cushion proved to be enough to hand UE its 12th straight loss in as many games in Season 88.
Lingolingo fired 18 points, Dylan Despi had 17 markers, seven boards, and five rebounds, while Precious Momowei notched a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double, but UE fell to its 18th straight defeat since Round 2 of Season 87.
In a match with Final Four implications, UST will face Ateneo this Saturday, November 15, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
With two games remaining, the Red Warriors will continue their search for an elusive victory against Final Four-bound National University at the same venue.
The Scores:
UST 109 – Cabañero 19, Akowe 16, Crisostomo 14, Padrigao 11, Acido 10, Paranada 7, Llemit 6, Danting 5, Estacio 5, Buenaflor 5, Calum 4, Manding 3, Bangco 2, Laure 2, Bucsit 0.
UE 97 – Lingolingo 18, Despi 17, Momowei 17, Jimenez 15, Lagat 13, Cruz-Dumont 9, Datumalim 7, Distrito 1, Tañedo 0, Mulingtapang 0, Malaga 0, Robles 0.
Quarterscores: 33-16, 57-41, 87-67, 109-97.