Tigers hold off Archers for first win

MANILA, Philippines -- University of Santo Tomas grinded one out against defending champion La Salle, 80-75, to notch its first win in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

UST saw its nine-point fourth quarter lead evaporate to just one late, but clutch free throws by Amiel Acido saved the day for the Espana-based squad. 

Acido finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to go with two steals, while Collins Akowe had 18 markers, 10 boards and three dimes. 

After leading by as much as 13 points, the Green Archers kept themselves within striking distance, tying things up at 56-all in the third quarter. 

UST then uncorked a 7-1 run capped by a Kirk Canete layup to make it a 63-57 lead with 9:42 to go. 

Slowly, the Tigers broke the game open, taking a 72-63 lead with 5:23 remaining after Akowe powered one in. 

La Salle, however, showcased its championship pedigree. 

Free throws by Jacob Cortez and Luis Pablo sliced the deficit to two, 70-72, with 3:21 left. 

Mark Llemit then halted the run with a bank shot to hike UST's lead back to four, 74-70, with 3:05 to go. 

Several misses and turnovers by the Tigers kept windows of opportunities open for La Salle, and it was taken by JC Macalalag with a clutch corner triple at the 1:27 mark of the ballgame. 

And as time winded down, back-to-back turnovers by Akowe and Cortez kept things close. 

Akowe sank a layup with 25.2 seconds to keep the Green Archers at bay, 76-73. 

And as La Salle missed late, free throws by Acido iced the game. 

Landyn Jumawan had 10 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist. Charles Esteban provided the spark with nine. 

Vhoris Marasigan powered the Green Archers with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. Cortez and Earl Abadam had 13 points each, while Pablo and Macalalag had 10 apiece. 

Both teams are now holding 1-1 win-loss records.