University of Santo Tomas delivered a statement win, dismantling National University Nazareth School with a resounding 76-56 victory to shatter the Bullpups’ perfect run and force a traditional Final Four format in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Tournament, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
With this victory, the Tiger Cubs capitalized on their second-seed finish (12-2) in the eliminations, securing a twice-to-beat advantage for the Final Four. UST will now face the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws.
This win was also a measure of redemption for the Tiger Cubs, who had lost 60-71 to the Bullpups in their opening game on January 19.
Senegalese forward Racine Kane, who had a tough debut with just eight points on 3-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds, five steals, and four blocks in that earlier defeat, came out swinging in this game.
Kane recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals to deny NUNS their first elimination round sweep since Season 82 in 2019 and prevent an outright Finals berth.
Despite missing the services of Gilas Youth forward Carl Manding due to a minor ankle sprain, the win allowed UST to achieve its best finish in UAAP boys’ basketball since an 11-3 record in Season 72 in 2009.
“They deserved to win this game. ‘Yun naman ang goal namin right from the start, na makakuha ng top two spot and ng twice-to-beat advantage. Nakuha na namin isang goal namin, pero our job is not done. Marami pa room for improvement and we’ll play harder dahil Final Four na ito, dadagdagan pa namin ng effort,” said Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Inigo.
UST broke the game open in the second half, turning a 33-29 halftime lead into a comfortable 55-43 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The Tiger Cubs continued to pounce in the payoff period. A personal six-point run by co-captain Kirk Canete, a triple by Gilas Youth guard Wacky Ludovice, a layup by Kane, and another triple by Charles Bucsit extended the lead to 69-49 with 4:20 remaining.
A key factor in UST’s second-half surge was their defensive effort against Collins Akowe, the frontrunner for Best Foreign Student Athlete. Akowe, who had eight points in the first half, was held scoreless in the second half.
Koji Buenaflor continued his strong run with 14 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and one assist, while Ludovice contributed 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Canete added 10 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, while Bucsit finished with eight points, five steals, and four rebounds.
