AFTER 24 years, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs finally broke their UAAP Boys’ Basketball title drought, defeating the National University-Nazareth School (NU-NS) Bullpups on Thursday.
The España-based squad brought back the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball title back to where it belongs, defeating Bullpups 83-77 in overtime in Game 3 of the Finals at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Prior to yesterday’s victory, UST last won the event in UAAP Season 64 (2001), with the Tiger Cubs finishing fourth in Seasons 85 and 86. With this triumph, they have won 12 high school basketball championships.
This is a golden year for the UST high school basketball program, with the UST Growling Tigresses also winning the season, and as the Tiger Cubs solidified themselves as the second-winningest program in UAAP boys’ history.
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The series was closely contested, with only 5.6 points separating the games. NU-NS won Game 1 77-70, but UST came back in Game 2 with an 89-85 victory to avoid being swept by the defending champs.
NU-NS was down by 17 points in Game 3. Proving their championship history, they rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime with a putback by Migs Palanca.
However, they were dealt a tough blow when Season 87 Best Foreign Student-Athlete Collins Akowe fouled out with five seconds left in regulation, which the Tiger Cubs took full advantage of.
UST scored six straight points off Kirk Cañete’s shot, followed by two layups from Racine Kane. NU-NS’ Mot Matias tried to cut the lead further after shooting a three, but missed crucial free throws at the end to seal the win.
After putting everything on the line, Tiger Cubs’ Kane won the Finals MVP title after averaging 19.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 2.0 steals, and 1.6 assists in his rookie season.
Redemption Tour Completed
After three seasons of heartbreaking endings, the UST has finally concluded its redemption tour. Still, Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Inigo praised NU-NS and emphasized his primary goal as a coach.
“Ang goal ko talaga as a coach is maraming bata ang matulungan to make it to the next level. Ipaglalapit ko lahat ng history na yan sa mga bata na natulungan namin, ‘yon ang importante,” said Inigo.
“Seventeen-point lead nga, pero walang safe na lead against NUNS talaga. Ang vision namin ay win it per quarter kaya wala kaming pakialam kung sino lamang, basta hanggang dulo. Swinerte kami nung overtime kaya kami nanalo,” he added.
Kane explained how the tactician inspired him for the final game of the series. For him, the goal is to bring pride to the name on the front of the jersey and the coaches who motivate them every day.
“After Game 2, Coach Manu talked to me, saying that we need to finish it in Game 3. This is our last year, that’s why we really did everything today, both for UST and Coach Manu,” the Senegalese explained.
Meanwhile, NUNS will say goodbye to major players including Akowe, Palanca, Mac Alfanta, Jid Locsin, Jedric Solomon, Iver Napa, Gab Nepacena, Tom Pillado, Allan Timbang, and Alnhumaeri Usop, who have all graduated.
