UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas would rather have everyone forget about its free throw woes.
That's why when it mattered most on Saturday, the Growling Tigers made sure their charities counted this time out.
UST fended off a gritty Ateneo side to claim the 67-59 triumph at Smart Araneta Coliseum and gain steam heading into the homestretch of the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
Nic Cabanero split his freebies before Gelo Crisostomo iced the game with a perfect trip to the line in the final 30 seconds, as the black-and-gold improved to 7-5 with their first back-to-back wins in the second round.
Easily, this was the best free throw shooting night for the Growling Tigers this season, going 22-of-28 from the 15-foot line for an impressive - especially relative to their season averages - 78.6-percent.
Collins Akowe, notoriously struggling from the line, went 5-of-8 from the line, as he finished with 15 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks, and two assists.
Cabanero also missed only one of his four freebies, but shot 5-of-17 from the field to wind up with 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Gelo Crisostomo just went a rebound shy of a double-double to the tune of 10 points and nine boards.
UST digs deep to stay solo fourth
UST, though, still went through a scare protecting its 10-point lead with 5:34 to go, as Ateneo got to as close as five in the waning moments.
But that was when that added focus on free throws came in handy, coupled with the Thomasians' steady defensive job punctuated by Mark Llemit's steal in the final possession of the game.
The loss complicated the Blue Eagles' Final Four bid, as they fell to a 5-6 card, having lost six of their last seven.
Kymani Ladi was the only player to breach double-figures for the blue-and-white with 14 points on 2-of-9 shooting from deep, aside from hauling down three rebounds in the defeat.
The one-and-done forward was also the only the one who connected from distance, as Ateneo went a horrendous 2-of-29 from rainbow country, a paltry 6.9-percent.
The Scores:
UST 67 – Akowe 15, Cabañero 14, Crisostomo 10, Acido 9, Paranada 7, Padrigao 6, Llemit 2, Buenaflor 2, Danting 2, Estacio 0, Calum 0.
ATENEO 59 – Ladi 14, Escobar 8, Tuano 8, Bahay 7, Adili 6, Lazaro 4, Bongo 4, Espina 2, Espinosa 2, Lazo 2, Fjellvang 2.
Quarters: 25-18, 35-33, 53-46, 67-59.
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