In the first triple-overtime game of UAAP Season 88, the UST Growling Tigers gutted one out against the Ateneo Blue Eagles right inside the Blue Eagle Gym. They improved to 4–1 and share the top spot with the NU Bulldogs.
Nic Cabañero and UST pulled out all the stops to outlast Ateneo in a triple-overtime classic, 98-89, grabbing a share of the top spot in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, October 11, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Cabañero finished with 22 points, while Forthsky Padrigao added 20 markers in a triumphant return to Katipunan for the former champion guard.
UST jumped out of the gates and scored the first nine points of the third overtime for a commanding 94-85 lead with 2:14 left.
After a Blue Eagle basket that made it 94-87, Kyle Paranada hit a dagger triple from the top of the arc that padded UST’s lead to double digits at 97-87.
Collins Akowe and Gelo Crisostomo wreaked havoc with a combined outing of 38 points and 36 rebounds.
With the win, the Growling Tigers improved to 4-1 for a share of the top spot with the NU Bulldogs while the Blue Eagles dropped to 4-2 to fall at third.
Up next for UST are the FEU Tamaraws while Ateneo faces the NU Bulldogs.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.