UST salvages season, escapes UE

(UST center Steve Akomo skying high for the dunk. Photo by Marlo Cueto/ spin.ph)

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers survived University of the East (UE) Red Warriors to avoid a winless season, 88-85, in the Season 80 of the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

There were many heroes for UST with Regie Boy Basibas pouring 12 of his 21 points and Marvin Lee scoring 6 of his 11 in the payoff period to lead their team to its first win of the season.

“Masarap yung feeling, sabi nga, parang nag champion na kami,” said UST veteran Marvin Lee on UST’s first and only win of the season.

“Kahit kami 1-13, […] I’m proud of these players,” UST head coach Boy Sablan said.

Down 11-23 in the latter part of the first frame, UE unleashed an 11-0 burst to tie the score punctuated by a Paul Varilla layup in the 7:38 mark of the second period.

The Tigers outrebounded the Warriors by 20, 57-37, with 19 of it coming in the offensive end resulting to 21 second-chance points for UST.

Steve Akomo and Enric Caunan posted double-doubles in points and rebounds with 18-20 with six blocks and 14-10, respectively. Christian Garcia added 10 markers all scored in the third canto.

Alvin Pasaol paced UE with 18 points and five steals. Jason Varilla added 16 markers off the bench.

UST finished the season with a 1-13 slate, its worst in the Final Four era. UE rounded up its season with a 3-11 record.