MARK Llemit delivered the game of his career, but University of Santo Tomas had little to show for it after a 101-103 double-overtime heartbreaker against the University of the Philippines.
Llemit erupted for a career-high 33 points on 10-of-19 shooting, putting the Growling Tigers in position to extend their win streak to three games.
READ: UP fights off UST in 2OT classic to stretch streak to four games
Instead, supposed non-calls in the endgame, particularly in the second extra period, helped swing momentum away from the black-and-gold.
Among the most glaring sequences came with 1:42 left, when Llemit took a hit to the lip from Fighting Maroon Sean Alter, but play continued without a whistle.
The UST skipper, who had carried the España side in scoring throughout the contest, would later foul out, as the physical battle intensified.
“Natamaan ako dito, pero hindi tinawagan,” Llemit said while pointing to his lip. “Wala kaming magagawa kasi hindi tumawag ‘yung referee. Wala na akong magagawa du’n.”
The Growling Tigers still had a chance to steal the game late, as with 5.4 seconds remaining, Kirk Canete drove toward the basket with an opportunity to put them ahead then appeared to draw contact from Rey Remogat.
No foul was called, leaving UST without a trip to the free throw line that could have changed the outcome.
Still, Llemit stood by Canete’s decision to attack the basket rather than dwell on the missed opportunity.
“Sa last play, wala naman kaming question doon kasi support naman kami sa ginawa ni Kirk. Kung yun ang nasa game plan namin, support kami sa decision niya,” he said. “‘Yun lang, naabutan lang din kami sa dulo.”
UST's what could've been
The defeat denied the boys from Espana a third consecutive victory and left them searching for answers after letting a winnable game slip away.
Head coach Pido Jarencio declined to comment after the contest.
Despite the painful finish, Llemit stressed that the loss would not fracture the Growling Tigers' resolve, with the second round still offering opportunities to recover.
“Walang finger-pointing sa locker room. Hindi naman dito matatapos yung season namin. May remaining games pa, kaya babawi kami. Bounce back,” he said.
“Ire-relearn lang namin itong game na ito kasi marami kaming puwedeng matutunan. Next time, sisikapin naming mas maging maganda yung laro namin.”
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