AT least for one day, University of Santo Tomas found a way to fix its free throw woes.
And the Growling Tigers did it by shooting the lights out from distance.
Host UST finally put an end to its harrowing four-game skid with a huge 109-97 escape from University of the East Wednesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
This season's hosts shot 11-of-27 from beyond the arc to go with its 24-of-39 free throw shooting, as the Espana side righted the ship and improved to 6-5 in the tight Final Four race in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
But in true UST fashion, it didn't come easy.
Things were already tilting in the black-and-gold's favor, as it enjoyed a 27-point lead, 82-55, after an Echo Laure floater at the 3:01 mark of the third period.
But the Red Warriors would not go away that easily, staging a 28-10 assault to cut the deficit down to single digits, 92-83, after a pair of Dylan Despi free throws with 4:32 left.
That rally continued within the final two minutes until Nic Cabanero put a stop to all of those, dropping five of the last seven points to seal off this Growling Tigers victory.
Cabanero top-scored for UST with 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists, and Collins Akowe nabbed a double-double with 14 points and 15 boards.
UST no one-man show
The win, though, wouldn't be possible if not for the gunslinging of the supporting cast, with two triples each coming from Gelo Crisostomo (14 points and seven rebounds), Forthsky Padrigao (11 points, four assists, and two boards), Amiel Acido (10 points and seven rebounds), and Mark Llemit (six points).
Thanks to this course correction, Cabanero and Co. claimed solo fourth, just ahead of idle Ateneo (5-5) and Adamson (5-6).
UE fell to 0-12 for the season, its 18th consecutive defeat dating back to last year, as another gallant effort fell short for the boys from Recto.
Wello Lingolingo uncorked 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists, Precious Momowei registered a double-double with 17 points and 12 boards, and rookie Despi stepped up for the Red Warriors with 17 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
DJ Jimenez and Tope Lagat combined for 28 in the losing cause, as UE played its second game without injured co-captain John Abate.
The Scores:
UST 109 – Cabañero 19, Akowe 16, Crisostomo 14, Padrigao 11, Acido 10, Paranada 7, Llemit 6, Estacio 5, Buenaflor 5, Calum 4, Manding 3, Bangco 2, Laure 2, Bucsit 0.
UE 97 – Lingolingo 18, Despi 17, Momowei 17, Jimenez 15, Lagat 13, Cruz-Dumont 9, Datumalim 7, Distrito 1, Tañedo 0, Mulingtapang 0, Malaga 0, Robles 0.
Quarters: 33-16, 57-41, 87-67, 109-97.
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.
