PLAYING on the opponent’s home court, Ateneo de Manila University looked more comfortable, defeating University of Santo Tomas, 67-64, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, Saturday.
Down by just two with 16 seconds left, UST had a chance to tie the game or even take the lead inbounding on their court but Forthsky Padrigao’s inbound pass to Nic Cabañero was telegraphed by Sean Quitevis leading into a fastbreak layup and a 66-62 lead for Ateneo with 11.7 ticks to go.
Kyle Paranada was able to cut it within two again for the Growling Tigers with a layup with 7.3 seconds remaining but Ian Espinosa split his free throws on the other end to make it a Blue Eagles’ three-point margin.
With one last chance to even the scoreline, UST could not attempt a shot as Christian Manaytay was stripped of the ball as time expired.
“I’m glad you bring that up. I don’t know when was the last time in the UAAP you had to play a road game… It was a mystery to us why that happened but it did and what it required of us was to really gut it out and I think this was one of the gutsiest wins we’ve had in a few years,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
With their second straight win, the Blue Eagles now boast a 3-6 record, continuing their climb up to reach the top four. They are tied with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at sixth.
Andrew Bongo top-scored for Ateneo with 14 points along with seven rebounds, while Espinosa had 11 points and six rebounds while being a plus-17 in his 21 minutes on the floor.
“Entering second round I told the rookies and the team, moving on second round wala ng rookies rookies, alam na natin yung experience ng UAAP so dapat alam na natin kung paano maging composed kasi knowing nung first round nawawala kami sa mga crucial na situation,” said Espinosa.
Chris Koon and Shawn Tuano got 10 points apiece in the win as well.
Ateneo shoots for three in a row on Wednesday against Adamson University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Growling Tigers, on the other hand, continued their slump, losing their third straight game, dropping to 4-6.
Cabañero led all scorers with 18 points but Baldwin was satisfied with their defense holding the UST main gunner to a 5-of-16 shooting from the field.
Manaytay was the other double digit scorer for the Tigers with 11 points, while Padrigao and Leland Estacio added eight each.
UST looks to end its skid on Oct. 27 against Far Eastern University, also at the bayside Pasay venue.
