WINNING culture has always been the prime focus for coach Pido Jarencio in his second tour of duty in Espana.
And now, that foundation is slowly but surely being built.
That was very much evident after University of Santo Tomas earned a gutsy 67-64 triumph over National University on Saturday inside Araneta Coliseum, its biggest catch to date in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament.
Forthsky Padrigao, the veteran that he is, took the biggest shots for the Growling Tigers, draining a huge top of the key jumper before sealing the victory with a split from the free throw line.
"Basta sabi ko lang sa kanila, we don't give up until the last second. Gagawa kami ng paraan para manalo. Ito na yung character ng team na gusto ko, na binuo namin," said a beaming Jarencio said after they improved to 3-1.
Padrigao's steady quarterbacking was huge for the black-and-gold, which was down by seven early in the fourth quarter until staging an 11-1 rally to grab a 64-61 lead.
Jolo Manansala knotted the count with 1:30 to go, but Padrigao had the answer for UST to cap off his 8-point, 5-assist, and 3-rebound night.
Mo Tounkara also played big for the Growling Tigers with 15 points and 10 boards, Christian Manaytay got 14 points and five rebounds, and Nic Cabanero scored 10 in their bounce back win following a sorry loss to Adamson last Sunday.
No go-to-guy for NU
On the other hand, it was another missed opportunity for NU, as it once again failed to find a closer, with Jake Figueroa muffing both of his close shots in the clutch. He ended with 11 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
Steve Nash Enriquez also produced 17 points, five assists, and three boards in the losing effort that sent the Bulldogs to a 1-3 start.
The Scores:
UST 67 - Tounkara 15, Manaytay 14, Cabanero 10, Padrigao 8, Crisostomo 5, Acido 5, Paranada 4, Estacio 3, Pangilinan 3, Robinson 0, Llemit 0.
NU 64 - Enriquez 17, Figueroa 11, Lim 8, Padrones 6, Manansala 6, Perciano 6, Jumamoy 5, Garcia 3, Palacielo 2, Yu 0, Francisco 0, Santiago 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarters: 16-16, 32-34, 48-52, 67-64.
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