UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas wanted to write a new story.
However, the University of the Philippines was fine sticking to its same old script.
Showcasing their experience, the Fighting Maroons advanced to the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball finals - their fourth straight appearance in the championship round - with a well-earned 78-69 win against the Growling Tigers on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Just like how it has done against UST in its prior meetings, UP went on a second half barrage, using a 21-4 assault to flip the game from a 40-34 deficit to a 55-44 lead.
Harold Alarcon authored the Diliman dash, unloading 14 of his 16 points in the second half that enabled State U to wrest control in the contest and maximize its twice-to-beat advantage in this 2-3 semifinal series.
UST fight to the finish
But the resolute Tigers kept coming, especially with Nic Cabanero, Forthsky Padrigao, and Kyle Paranada keeping their side within striking distance and getting to within five, 66-61, in the last 5:29.
Padrigao's ejection with 3:24 left, however, spelled the end for the black-and-gold's dream run this season, as Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez locked up the W for UP.
"For us naman, we expected a tough fight against UST. The way they run their program this season, nakita naman natin na as the season progresses, they’re improving a lot," said coach Goldwin Monteverde, who guided the Fighting Maroons to their fifth Finals appearance in six seasons.
"On our end, ang important sa amin is the way we responded. I believe in the second half, we started moving the ball well and we had the momentum."
Lopez also added 16 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Millora-Brown grabbed 19 rebounds after scoring nine.
Reyland Torres also breached double figures with his 13 points and seven boards, while veteran JD Cagulangan hit the dagger jumper in the last 1:05 to make it a 74-66 game.
The Fighting Maroons now await the forging of a finals rematch against defending champion La Salle - but not if fourth-seeded Adamson has to say anything about it in their semifinals clash later.
UST, on the other hand, can hold its head high for reaching the semifinals after three years at the cellar.
Mythical Team member Nic Cabanero paced the Growling Tigers with 12 points and three assists, as Kyle Paranada and Gelo Crisostomo also scored 12 in the defeat.
Padrigao ended his first year in Espana with seven points and three assists as he stand to be served a one-game suspension next year.
The Scores
UP 78 - Lopez 16, Alarcon 16, Torres 13, Millora-Brown 9, Fortea 8, Cagulangan 6, Ududo 3, Felicilda 2, Stevens 2, Belmonte 2, Bayla 0, Abadiano 0.
UST 69 - Paranada 12, Cabañero 12, Crisostomo 12, Manaytay 10, Tounkara 8, Padrigao 7, Acido 3, Pangilinan 3, Llemit 2, Estacio 0, Danting 0, Laure 0.
Quarters: 16-14, 33-35, 57-50, 78-69.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
