The UST Growling Tigers against the Ateneo Blue Eagles. Photo from UAAP Media

MANILA (UPDATED) — University of Santo Tomas remained perfect in UAAP Season 87 after a stellar fourth-quarter showing against Ateneo de Manila University.

This, after the Growling Tigers moved past the Blue Eagles, 74-64, during their men's basketball tournament clash on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Gelo Crisostomo led UST with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Mo Tounkara scored the same amount on top of 14 boards, while Forth Padrigao finished with six markers and nine dimes.

Down 60-56 in the fourth period, the Tigers charged on a 16-to-nothing run which was capped off by a three-pointer by former Ateneo point guard Padrigao, a bucket by Nic Cabañero, and a put back by Crisostomo.

"Actually, we started slow," said UST head coach Pido Jarencio of his squad who figured in a close encounter against the Eagles in the first 32 minutes of gameplay. 

"Sabi ko nga parang ang bibigat ng mga paa eh. Pero sinabi lang namin na dapat taasan yung effort. Medyo slow kami at matamlay. Kinailangan pa naming mag trabaho ng maigi, and nung second half ginawa naman namin yun," he pointed out.

This eventually proved to be all that the Tigers needed as they improved to 2-0 in the team standings, as their defense resulted in Ateneo also going scoreless from the 8:10 mark of the fourth until the final minute of the game. 

But despite these, Jarencio insisted that this is just a fraction of their journey back to the top of the league.

"Sabi ko sa kanila, stay humble lang and stay on the ground lang. Sa utak namin, wala pa kaming nararating. Nanalo kami ng two games, pero part lang ng growing up yun," he said of UST’s first win against Ateneo since the first round of Season 78 in 2015. 

They were then led by Kevin Ferrer and former USTe head tactician Bong De La Cruz, while Kiefer Ravena was still ADMU’s star that year. 

Meanwhile, this is the first 0-2 start of Ateneo since 2013 when they were led by head coach Bo Perasol. This is also the first time that the Blue Eagles opened the UAAP season with two straight defeats under Tab Baldwin. 

UST returns to action on Sunday, September 15, against Adamson University at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City at 3:30 p.m.

On the other hand, Ateneo, which is now at 0-2, is up for a tall task on the same day at 6:30 p.m. when it faces the 2-0 De La Salle University. Josh Lazaro top-scored for the Ateneans with 18 points. 

The Scores:

UST 74 – Tounkara 16, Crisostomo 16, Cabanero 11, Llemit 10, Padrigao 6, Robinson 6, Paranada 5, Acido 3, Lane 1, Manaytay 0, Estacio 0, Pangilinan 0.

ATENEO 64 – Lazaro 18, Tuano 13, Porter 10, Espinosa 8, Quitevis 4, Ong 4, Bahay 3, Espina 2, Balogun 2, Bongo 0, Edu 0, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 18-19, 37-41, 55-52, 74-64.