By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After five years, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers are back in the UAAP Final Four stage.
Despite the mid-season roller coaster ride, UST was able to salvage a late ticket and regrouped in the remaining games of the second-round preliminary phase, crushing the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 75-49, to formalize their seat in the Season 87 Final Four, on November 16, 2024, at the FilOil EcoOil Center.
Badly needing one final win to reclaim the consistent spot they once grabbed, the Growling Tigers banked on a momentum-clinching third-quarter performance to create a huge gap over the Soaring Falcons.
After a nip-and-tuck affair in the first two quarters, UST re-asserted their dominance in the pivotal third frame when they outscored Adamson, 23-4.
As a result of the momentum-stealing third-quarter surge, the Growling Tigers suddenly grew their cushion to 20 points, 52-32, heading into the final canto of the game.
Adamson deployed a full-court defensive pressure in hopes of tallying more steals for easy deuces but the rolling Growling Tigers safely executed their plays down the stretch to protect their double-digit lead.
Amiel Acido, the former NCAA high school juniors’ stalwart, led the charge for UST during the third and was backstopped by his senior, Nic Cabañero.
The 1-2 punch outscored the whole Adamson squad, taking turns attacking the basket with their huge size advantage at the small forward position.
Acido finally showed glimpses of his NCAA finals performance and achieved his best-scoring game of the UAAP season, dropping 14 markers built from an efficient 4/5 shooting from the three-point line.
Meanwhile, Cabañero displayed his usual double-digit scoring numbers and contributed 13 markers, highlighted by several aggressive drives to the basket during the third period.
UST’s foreign student-athlete Mo Tounkara also stepped up when the Growling Tigers needed him the most and registered another double-double performance of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
With the win over Adamson, the Growling Tigers just arranged a highly-anticipated Final Four duel with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons.
