UST continues Cinderella run, oust defending champ FEU

MANILA, Philippines — If there is anything that the University of Santo Tomas’ 81-80 win over Far Eastern University showed Saturday, it is they are more than just CJ Cansino, the yet uncrowned UAAP Juniors Most Valuable Player.

With the UST staring at the end of their season as FEU led, 79-66 with time down to 4:46 left in the game, the rest of the unheralded Tiger Cubs uncorked one of the season’s biggest come-from-behind wins (the other Ateneo’s win over NU to close out the elimination round).

With FEU’s RJ Abarrientos in a zone – in fact, after his fourth triple of the fourth period, he struck a pose akin to Michael Jordan when he dropped six threes against the Portland Trailblazers during the 1992 NBA Finals – UST’s Liam Manabat and Rayjhun Baquial traded triples and assists to show some life.

Manabat hit another three. Baquial contributed another. Then Kobe Palencia threw up one of his own. And just like that, the lead was cut down to 79-75, with 2:50 to play. And just like that, there was a sliver of a chance to steal the game.

FEU’s LJ Gonzales turned the ball over then the Baby Tamaraws missed on two consecutive shots leaving the door for UST to inch closer. Baquial hit another and now, UST was a point behind, 79-78, with 1:33 left in the game clock and one team’s season.

Abarrientos, who minutes earlier had that Midas touch suddenly was lofting blanks. His bricked a three after which Baquial scored on a mid-range jumper to give UST the lead, 80-79.

Gonzales had a chance to give FEU the lead but he split his charities after a foul by Manabat’s fifth and last foul. With nine seconds left in the game clock, Palencia was tested at the line. He made only one free throw and the ensuing scramble whittled away the precious seconds. UST’s Bismarck Lina had the presence of mind to foul as UST had only three team fouls at that point giving FEU only 1.2 seconds left to work with. FEU couldn’t work it to Gonzales or Abarrientos and Royce Alforque threw up a lame attempt that barely threatened. And the defending champions were undone and UST, miraculously, was moving on.

“Tanong ko lang sa team nung down kami ng 13, ‘gusto niyo pa maglaro?’,” said a visibly moved UST head coach Chris Cantonjos. “Buti na lang nag-respond yung mga bata.”

Although Cansino led UST with a team high 18 points, he was in the midst of a poor shooting and error-filled game. It was his teammates’ turn to carry UST with Baquial scoring 13, Cyril Narvasa and Manabat chopping in 12, and Palencia firing 11 points.

Bismarck Lina was a monster on the defensive end grabbing 16 rebounds and forcing FEU’s frontline to a lot of misses inside the lane.

FEU missed all nine of their field goal attempts in the last 4:52 while it was UST’s turn to wax hot from beyond area code range.

“Ayaw pa namin matapos yung season,” said Palencia after the game. Added Lina, “Nung down kami ng double figures, sabi lang namin, ‘one basket and one stop at a time. Nagtiwala lang kami sa isa’t isa.”

RJ Abarrientos led the Baby Tamaraws with 24 points including 5-10 from three-point range. Xyrus Torres added 11 while LJ Gonzales played a subpar match with 11 points on 20% shooting and six turnovers.

UST will now advance to play NU this coming Tuesday, February 20, at the Filoil Flying V Centre. NU owns a twice-to-beat advantage. Should UST force a rubber match, that game will be played on February 23 also at the Filoil Flying V Centre.