UAAP: UST escapes NU in men’s basketball comeback thriller

Nic Cabañero helps UST Growling Tigers past NU Bulldogs in the in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–University of Santo Tomas returned to its winning ways after a come-from-behind 67-64 victory against National University in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mo Tounkara churned out another double-double performance with 15 points and 10 rebounds as steady veteran forward Christian Manaytay finished with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal to help the Growling Tigers improve to 3-1 card.

After absorbing a first loss this season previously against Adamson, Nic Cabañero contributed 10 points and five rebounds while Forthsky Padrigao, who provided crucial baskets in overturning the Bulldogs, added eight points, three assists, five rebounds and a steal.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

“Our loss against Adamson is in the past. We focus on moving forward. Against NU, the players were aggressive, and the will to win was there. A win is a win, whether it’s by two points, three points, or one point,” said coach Pido Jarencio.

“This was a total team effort. Forthsky made crucial shots in the last possessions, Christian stayed steady, and the breaks of the game went our way. Hopefully, we can sustain this momentum, especially with La Salle up next, which we know is a very strong team,” he added.

Forth Padrigao and Nic Cabañero celebrate a point as UST Growling Tigers escape NU Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Cabañero drained a triple to give UST a 64-61 lead with 1:57 left in the fourth quarter before NU’s Jolo Manansala responded with a trey of his own to tie the game.

Padrigao discarded Kenshin Padrones’ defense with a dribble move to a step back jumper with 30 seconds left, 66-64, before Jake Figueroa missed two consecutive attempts.

READ: UAAP: New UST star Forthsky Padrigao is a point—not points—guard

The former Ateneo guard was fouled by the Bulldogs to stop the clock and split the charities shots to burn the last few seconds of the game and seal the result for UST, which ended a six-game winning streak against NU dating back to Season 84.

Steve Nash Enriquez paced the Bulldogs with 17 points with an 83.3 percent efficiency from the free throw line, three rebounds and five assists. Figueroa flirted with a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds as NU dropped to a 1-3 record.

UST will have a long week to prepare for its biggest challenge yet this season with La Salle up next on Sept. 29 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.