The UST Growling Tigers are getting back on track for their Final Four return and will try to hold on to 4th seed when they take on the NU Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87.
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers will battle the National University (NU) Bulldogs in a crucial UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball matchup on November 6, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Both teams are coming off morale-boosting victories and are eager to carry that momentum into this high-stakes game.
The UST Growling Tigers, currently holding a 6-5 record, find themselves in fourth place, clinging to a Final Four spot. Their recent 79-70 win over the FEU Tamaraws was a much-needed triumph, snapping a three-game losing streak and keeping them in a favorable position to contend in the playoffs.
Key contributors in that game were Forthsky Padrigao and Nic Cabañero, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively, while Mo Tounkara made a significant impact with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds in his return from a one-game suspension.
But it was Kyle Paranada who went home with the Player of the Game honors, tallying a season-high 13 points.
UST's victory over FEU underscores their resolve to protect their Final Four standing, with hopes to possibly climb to third place depending on the results of upcoming games.
Meanwhile, the NU Bulldogs, at a 3-8 record, are currently tied with Ateneo for the seventh spot. Despite their challenging season, they stunned the league with a 67-47 upset over the second-seeded UP Fighting Maroons.
Patrick Yu shone in this victory, leading an all-Filipino lineup with 17 points. Although NU’s path to the Final Four is narrow, this unexpected win against a top contender has provided a huge morale boost, proving that they’re capable of taking down stronger teams.
This matchup holds different stakes for each team: UST is determined to defend and possibly improve their playoff positioning, while NU is fighting to keep their slim hopes alive.
UST’s consistency and the Bulldogs’ recent surge make this game unpredictable and packed with potential surprises. Fans can look forward to an intense battle, as both squads aim to leave their mark in the last stretch of the elimination round.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]