By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers completed an impressive sweep of the step-ladder semifinals in UAAP Season 82, defeating the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 68-65, in their knockout match on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The lowest-seeded team entering the playoffs, the Tigers continued with its big-time play in the semifinals to double up on the second-seeded Maroons, who held a twice-to-beat advantage, to make their way to the finals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines after four years and set up a championship joust with the undefeated defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Renzo Subido and Soulemane Chabi Yo got things going for UST, helping their team to a 7-0 lead in the opening three minutes of the first quarter.
The Tigers continued to pound on the Maroons the rest of the way to hold an 18-6 advantage after 10 minutes in the game.
In the second quarter, on the lead of Bright Akhuetie, UP came out with more energy on both ends of the court, trimming its deficit to just three points, 22-19, with 5:53 in the frame.
UST, however, would survive the initial charge back, creating further separation, 27-21, in the next two minutes.
The Maroons did not relent on its fight back, pulling to within a point, 27-26, at the 2:30 mark.
The Tigers though still stayed on top, 29-28, at the break.
In the third quarter the jockeying further intensified with Ricci Rivero providing the motor for UP and Subido and Chabi Yo keeping the head of UST above water.
UST was still on top, 40-33, with 5:50 to go in the third.
UP tried to claw its way back but the Tigers successfully fended of the Maroons to bring a five-point cushion, 49-44, into the fourth period.
Kobe Paras and Juan Gomez De Liano kicked things off for UP in the fourth to tow the Maroons to within one point, 49-48, in the first minute.
But rookie Mark Nonoy would come to the rescue of the Tigers with timely triples to keep UST ahead.
The count stood at 57-55 with seven minutes to play before back-to-back baskets by Jun Manzo and Gomez De Liano pushed UP ahead, 61-59, with 5:30 left in the game.
UP was still ahead, 63-59, with 2:33 to play but saw Manzo foul out after.
Two made free throws by Nonoy made it a two-point game, 63-61, entering the last two minutes.
Kobe Paras gave the Maroons more breathing room, 65-61, with 1:53 to go only to be negated by Rhenz Abando with a basket off the break with a minute to go to make it 65-63.
UST then forced a turnover on Rivero to get back the ball but could not convert on the ensuing play.
The Maroons still maintained the 65-63 advantage with 32 seconds remaining.
Off a timeout, UST went to Abando for a trey but was foiled by the UP defense.
The Tigers still had the ball for a recoil and did not miss the second time with Subido hitting the go-ahead trey with 23 seconds to go to make it 66-65 in their favor.
UP had a chance to recover from it but could not complete it.
Chabi Yo was fouled with four seconds remaining and made his free throws to make it a three-point lead for the Tigers, 68-65.
The Maroons called for timeout after to set up a game-tying play.
The ball went to James Spencer but his three-point did not connect as time expired, handing the victory to the Tigers and sending the UST faithful, part of the 18,548 crowd, into celebration.
Season most valuable player Chabi Yo led the Tigers to the win with 22 points with Subido adding 14.
Rookies Abando and Nonoy also scored in double digits with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Akhuetie, meanwhile, paced UP with 16 points, followed by the graduating Manzo with 12.
Rivero also had 12 for the Maroons, who missed out on the opportunity to advance to the finals for a second straight year.
