Nic Cabañero’s baseline floater finally lifted University of Santo Tomas onto the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup win column courtesy of a 76-75 overtime stunner at National University’s expense, Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
After two tough losses against UAAP Season 86 champion De La Salle University and runner-up University of the Philippines, the revamped Growling Tigers at last snatched a triumph over a powerhouse in the Bulldogs.
“Tine-test namin yung team namin kung hanggang saan kami pupunta and, at the same time, yung mga players nagde-deliver. Yung breaks of the game napunta sa amin against NU, and ang importante, a win is a win kahit one point lang yan,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio.
Cabañero totaled 19 points – including the Growling Tigers’ last four – on top of three boards, while Hinda Tounkara and Christian Manaytay contributed 18 and 15 markers, respectively.
With 17 seconds left in the extra period, Reinhard Jumamoy drained two free throws to put NU up, 75-72. Cabañero then answered with a quick slash and score to trim the deficit to a solitary point.
Sent to the stripe to stop the clock, Bulldogs prized rookie Tebol Garcia muffed on his two charities and another try due to a lane violation before Cabañero came to UST’s rescue once and for all.
Mo Diassana and Jumamoy wound up with 17 and 15 points, respectively, for the now 0-2 Bulldogs.
In another intense matchup, Jonnel Policarpio propelled La Salle past Adamson University, 80-72.
