By NIKOLE JAVIER
The thirst was finally quenched.
Nic Cabañero fueled University of Santo Tomas’ onslaught and the Tigers barged into the winning column with a heart-pounding 68-62 victory over Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Hard as it was, the win brought so much joy to the entire UST community as it again savored the sweet taste of victory.
“Masarap yung feeling kasi after a long time we won. Credit to the boys, they really gave it all. Nagsama-sama kami so yung bonding nila it helps,” said UST deputy Japs Cuan as head coach Pido Jarencio lost his voice during the thrilling 40-minute affair and could not make it in the postgame interview.
After a string of painful defeats dating back from the previous season, the Growling Tigers hung tough to snap their 19-game losing skid for a 1-6 record in the standings heading into the next round.
The last time UST won was back in Oct. 1, 2022, during its opening game against Adamson, where Cabañero starred with a career-high 33-point line.
Cabañero, this time breached the double-digit mark in the first half and poured 11 more points all in the third to finish with 23 points including six rebounds.
UST dictated the tempo of the game before FEU’s Xyrus Torres unleashed back-to-back baskets including a triple in the third period to momentarily give FEU its first lead, 45-44, with 3:35 left.
A nip-and-tuck affair ensued before the Tigers eventually ripped the game wide apart, 65-54 on a triple by Migs Pangilinan.
The last time FEU threatened was at 67-62, but UST was ready this time and successfully repelled the uprising.
L-Jay Gonzales, Torres and Jonrick Bautista paced the Tamaraws with 11 points each as they wound up with a 2-5 slate in the opening round.
The scores:
UST 68 – Cabañero 23, Manaytay 10, Pangilinan 9, Crisostomo 8, Duremdes 7, Calum 7, Manalang 4, Llemit 0, Laure 0, Gesalem 0, Lazarte 0, Esmena 0.
FEU 62 – Gonzales 11, Torres 11, Bautista 11, Sleat 8, Tempra 7, Faty 7, Ona 5, Competente 2, Alforque 0, Bagunu 0, Montemayor 0, Buenaventura 0, Felipe 0.
Quarters: 22-17, 38-34, 55-50, 68-62.
