UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas forward Rhenz Abando hasn't had the chance to face off against a full-strength University of the Philippines side until the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament.
An injured Kobe Paras missed the first-round meeting between the two teams last September 7 as Abando posted 12 points, seven rebounds, three rejections, two assists, and two steals to help the Growling Tigers take an 85-69 victory.
In the second round, it was Abando's turn to sit the game out amid accusations that he had agreed to switch to another team, watching from the sidelines as his side repeated over the Fighting Maroons, 84-78, in October 16.
But on Sunday, Abando made sure that the result will be the same, guiding UST to a big 89-69 conquest over UP to force a do-or-die match for the second berth in the best-of-three finals opposite unbeaten Ateneo.
The Sto. Tomas, La Union native insisted he was focused solely on the goal.
"Wala namang halong gigil," he said after firing 17 points on a 3-of-6 shooting from threes, to go with seven rebounds, and three blocks. "Nag-focus lang talaga kami sa game na ito. Di na namin inisip yung mga last game namin."
The game tested the character of this batch of Tigers, who, in a game they cannot afford to lose, kept their composure while the Maroons tried to raze a 19-point deficit.
Abando said it was the team's belief in the system coach Aldin Ayo that is sustaining this dream run.
"Malaking tulong yung pagsandal namin sa sistema ni coach Aldin at sa paglaro sa mga roles namin kaya siguro naging maganda yung outcome," said the 6-foot-2 high-flyer.
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