UST Growling Tigers made history as they defeated De La Salle University Green Archers in an overtime, 81-73, the first of the Tiger’s victory over the Archers in eight years, during the start of the 2nd round of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines senior men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum last August 11. The first quarter was close to a dreadlock as the teams finished it with 18-19, favoring the Taft-based rosters. However, DLSU was in the advantage at the end of the first half with 29-34.
The Tigers finally gathered some confidence in the 2nd half of the game, as Dylan Ababou started the 3rd quarter with a 2-point basket, only after 3 seconds gone in the clock, 31-34, but James Mangahas answered it for the Archers, 31-36. A 3-point basket from Ababou and a lay-up by Mark Canlas brought the 4th dreadlock of the game, 36-all.
The 3rd quarter was in a see-saw as shots from Jervy Cruz, Japs Cuan, Anthony Espiritu plus a great play by Ababou, equaled Rico Maierhofer and Cholo Villanueva’s.
But the Archers surprised the Tigers at the end of the quarter, with under a minute left, when a basket from Simon Atkins and a back-to-back by Jvee Casio ended the quarter 41-55.
Tigers began slowing down in the 4th quarter, allowing the Archers to score, giving them a 13-point advantage, 54-67, nearing the last-2-minuntes mark, and scoring only through the charity stripe.
But things got a lot interesting as continual baskets and steals from the Tigers were executed by Espiritu, prized rookie Khasim Mirza and Jun Cortez with less than a minute left, scoring with almost a miraculous 10 points in less than 40 seconds, creating the 6th dreadlock 69-all, leaving the Archers with 6.7 seconds to shoot to win.
However, the Archers were not successful, bringing the game in an overtime.With Casio injured, Arches found it hard to chase the Tiger’s sudden adrenalin burst, as baskets from Mirzah, Cuan and Canlas, and the Archer’s too many errors and turnovers, ended the game 81-73.
UST is now tied with the archers and the Far Eastern University Tamarraw in the 2nd spot with a 5-3 win-lose ration.
**After 8 years UST finally won over DLSU! yey!
Imagine, within that span of 8 years, there were 15 UAAP basketball games and UST haven't won any of those games not until yesterday! I'm really happy for I was able to witness it live at Araneta together with my Mom. Well, it's the first time of my Mom to watch the game live and I think she's a lucky charm.
During the 4th quarter, I was starting to lose hope and just wished that the players just have to lower down the point advantage of the Archers..but there's a miracle at the number of 69.
I do believe that UST is lucky at 69.
Think about this: Before the championship of UST last season, they won the title last year of '96 and they regained the title during season 69 of the UAAP after 10 years. And just yesterday, before the overtime, the game was tied at 69. Cool isn't it?
But of course, the win will not be possible without the teamwork of the players. Really great game they showed yesterday..it's like a "Do or Die" game again.
It's an amazing game..compared to the finals game last season against Ateneo.
I really enjoyed especially cheering the "LET"S GO UST BEAT DE LA SALLE!!" cheer. I was jumping up and down when the buzzer surrounded the whole coliseum which signaled the end of the game and UST's victory. Really great feeling to be there..the Thomasian spirit was alive!
At least we're already 1-15 against DLSU..hehe..
Go Tigers! (.^__^.)
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