HOW fitting is it that Amiel Acido's best game for University of Santo Tomas came inside the venue he knows by heart.
The former NCAA juniors MVP returned to his old stomping grounds, the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, on Saturday and shot the Growling Tigers over Adamson, 75-49, and into the UAAP Season 87 Final Four.
As its promising prospect finally got going, the black-and-gold finally got back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, when it went all the way to the finals behind Season MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo, CJ Cansino, Renzo Subido, Rhenz Abando, and Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy.
"Sabi nga nila, may mga magic bunot. Nabunot natin si Acido, nakatira ng apat na three-point shots which make a big difference kaya tayo nanalo," beamed head coach Pido Jarencio.
This time around, UST rode another freshman who ignited the 26-4 blast that blew the game wide open.
Only leading by a solitary point, 29-28, at halftime, Acido poured in eight points and teamed up with Nic Cabanero, Forthsky Padrigao, Kyle Paranada, and Mo Tounkara to put up a 55-32 advantage early in the final frame.
That margin proved to be more than enough for the Growling Tigers to improve to 7-7 at the end of eliminations - also assured of the third seed by virtue of winning their two assignments against University of the East (6-7).
Acido test, passed
Acido wrapped up his breakout game with 14 points, built on four triples, at long last showing the potential that turned him into top player in the NCAA juniors while playing for Perpetual, as well as one of the most coveted recruits coming out of high school.
"Matagal ko nang inantay 'to. Ngayong binigyan ako ng chance, binuhos ko na lahat nang makakaya ko," he said.
Tounkara backstopped him with a 11-point, 14-rebound double-double, as Cabanero delivered the goods as well with 13 markers and eight boards.
UST now turns its attention to second-seeded and twice-to-beat the University of the Philippines for the next round.
The Growling Tigers are winless in two tries vs. the Fighting Maroons, but five years ago, the former also overcame the very same playoff disadvantage against the latter.
The No. 4 spot, meanwhile, remains within reach for the 5-7 Soaring Falcons, but they need to take care of business against Ateneo next week, while also hoping the Red Warriors fall to State U on Wednesday.
Mathew Montebon was the lone player in double-digits for Adamson with 14 points, as skilled big Cedrick Manzano was shackled to just one point in 18 minutes.
The Scores:
UST 75 - Acido 14, Cabanero 13, Tounkara 11, Paranada 9, Padrigao 7, Llemit 7, Manaytay 6, Crisostomo 5, Estacio 3, Laure 0, Danting 0, Lane 0, Pangilinan 0
ADAMSON 49 - Montebon 14, Mantua 9, Anabo 7, Dignadice 5, Yerro 4, Barcelona 4, Fransman 3, Ramos 2, Manzano 1, Erolon 0, Ronzone 0, Ojarikre 0, Calisay 0, Barasi 0, Ignacio 0, Alexander 0
Quarters: 16-18, 29-28, 52-32, 75-49
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.
