UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas washed away the sour taste of its opening-day loss by taking down defending champion La Salle, 80-75, in UAAP Season 89 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Reigning Best Foreign Athlete Collins Akowe made up for his earlier miscues with a tough layup that gave UST a 76-73 cushion with 25.2 ticks left.
The Nigerian center then came up with a crucial stop on Jacob Cortez’s drive before Amiel Acido calmly sank two freebies to give the Tigers a five-point breather.
Akowe later committed a goaltending violation on JC Macalalag’s drive, but Acido finally iced the game with another pair of game-sealing free throws.
“Basically, I don't dwell in the past. You know, I gotta move on. It's in the past, it's not my control,” said Akowe.
“I need to focus on things I can control, like the present, the future also. So, basically, I just had to let go, talk to my coaches, ask for advice [on] what to do,” he added.
Acido filled statsheet with 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks, while Akowe had his usual number of 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.
Landyin Jumawan also put up 10 markers, four boards, two steals, and one dime while Charles Esteban and Mark Llemit added nine and six respectively.
“Collins got his number tonight, Amiel was stepping up. Siguro sa ibang pagkakataon naman, ibang players naman ang mag-step up,” head coach Pido Jarencio uttered.
“As long as we work together, we improve each game, ako masaya na ako roon. And then para masaya rin ang UST community.”
On the other hand, Vhoris Marasigan paced La Salle with 16 points, three rebound, and two assists, while Cortez and Earl Abadam also wound up 13 markers apiece.
The Scores
UST 80 – Acido 19, Akowe 18, Junawan 10, Esteban 9, Llemit 6, Buenaflor 5, D. Sevilla 4, Cañete 4, Porter 3, Crisostomo 2, Alao 0, Manding 0, Danting 0.
DLSU 75– Marasigan 16, Cortez 13, Abadam 13, Pablo 10, Macalalag 10, Dungo 5, Tovera 4, Amos 2, Kulang 2, Gagate 0, Sardon 0, Daep 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 45-40, 61-56, 80-75
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