With 19 points in only 18 minutes, Kyle Paranada propelled a balanced UST Growling Tigers to match their strongest start in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament in ten years.
It has been evident that depth has been one of the keys to UST’s hot start in UAAP Season 88, and against FEU, the Growling Tigers showed exactly why.
Kyle Paranda led five UST double-digit scorers in a 92-80 win over the Tamaraws, helping the team grab a share of the lead with NU in the men’s basketball tournament.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Surging UST grabs share of Season 88 lead at FEU’s expense]
Paranda erupted for 14 of his team-high 19 points in the second half, dealing most of his damage in the pivotal fourth quarter. He and veteran Nic Cabañero combined to help UST ignite a 15-5 run, turning a 65-68 deficit into an 80-73 lead with 5:36 remaining.
Although FEU threatened at 80-82, the Growling Tigers pulled away in the final 4:01 with a 10-0 closing run, extending their winning streak to three games.
With the win, UST improved to a 5-1 record, matching their best start since Season 78 in 2015.In a rollercoaster of a game that saw four ties and 18 lead changes, UST’s depth shone brightest.
'We' not 'me
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While Kyle Paranda, Nic Cabañero, and Gelo Crisostomo carried the spotlight, rookie big man Collins Akowe made his presence felt with a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Forthsky Padrigao chipped in 11 crucial points.
Paranda, who also had a near-perfect outing of 7-for-8 from the field with four assists in just 19 minutes, even outscored FEU’s bench (14) by himself and became the third UST player to lead the team in scoring in their first six games.
UST's Kyle Paranda shoots over FEU's Jorick Baustista in their UAAP Season 88 men's basketball showdown | Photo: The UAAP
It was also the second time this season that four or more Growling Tigers scored in double digits in a single game, a strong indication of the team’s well-balanced offensive production.
“I’m happy that everyone on our team can score, and that’s how deep our team is,” the 5-foot-9 guard said.
“You don’t know who’s going to be the Player of the Game or who’s going to score the most in the next game, and that’s how good our team is.”
He added, “I’m happy to score and help my team win. They’re going to need all the help because they’re being scouted the entire game.”
UST now gears up against Adamson, hoping for their fourth straight win in their final assignment of the opening round.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | UAAP Season 88 basketball guide, where to watch, highlights, more]
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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.