Forthsky Padrigao hit the go-ahead shot against the NU Bulldogs to give the UST Growling Tigers their third win in UAAP Season 87.
The University of Santo Tomas is back in the win column after downing National University, 67-64, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Saturday, September 21.
The Growling Tigers bounced back from their 27-point defeat against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, as they improving with a 3-1 record for solo third place.
This is UST’s first win against NU since Season 84, ending a six-game losing streak.
Trailing for most of the game, the Growling Tigers went on an 8-0 run to take the lead at 60-59 after Forthsky Padrigao’s lay-up with 2:37 left in the game.
Tied at 61-all, Nic Cabañero hit a huge three-pointer with less than two minutes in the game, which was quickly countered by a bank shot trey by Jolo Manansala.
But Padrigao would not allow UST to go down as he hit a cold-blooded stepback jumper over big man Kenshin Padrones for the lead with 29 seconds left in the game.
At the other end of the court, Jake Figueroa missed two shots to tie the game as Padrigao sank both free throws to give the España-based squad the victory.
Christian Manaytay led the way for the Growling Tigers with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Mo Tounkara had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Padrigao finished with eight markers, three boards, and five dimes. Cabañero added 10 points and five rebounds in the win.
"Against NU, naging aggressive 'yung mga bata. 'Yung will to win andun. Basta kami a win is a win, three points, two points, one point," coach Pido Jarencio said during the post-game press conference.
"This is a total team effort, lahat nagtulungan. Si Forthsky made that last two possession shots, breaks of the game 'yun. Si Christian, steady. I hope we sustain this hanggang next game which is La Salle na medyo alam naman natin, super lakas," he added.
NU's Steve Nash Enriquez had a game-high 17 points, three rebounds, and five assists, followed by Figueroa with 11 points and nine boards.
Up next for the Growling Tigers will be the defending champions DLSU Green Archers on Sunday, September 29, while the Bulldogs will face the UE Red Warriors on Saturday, September 28.