Snap back to reality
University of Santo Tomas scribbled a new name on its active roster list and just like that, University of the East’s good vibes—generated by a win that snapped a two-year, 30-game losing streak—came to a thudding end.
Peter Osang replaced Collins Akowe as the Tigers’ foreign student-athlete (FSA) and cooked up a spectacular debut that helped his squad crush the Warriors, 97-70, on Tuesday in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“The first time we played [the Warriors], they were running and running, and we said we needed an FSA who could match the energy,” UST assistant coach Peter Martin said. “Secondly, this is our second game of a three-game stretch.”
The victory dampened the celebratory mood that engulfed a UE team that had gone 0-30 over more than two seasons and, more importantly, fanned the flames of UST’s Final Four drive.
Do-or-die
“Every game for us is like a do-or-die already,” Martin said. “We know that one loss will spell the season for the UST men’s basketball team. That’s how serious we are.”
Osang, a 6-foot-7 Nigerian big man, spelled much of the difference for UST, finishing with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, 10 rebounds, five blocks and two assists as the Tigers evened their record to 6-6.
That moved UST to within half a game of the current Final Four circle, with host Far Eastern U and La Salle sharing 6-5 records.
The Tigers raced to a 35-19 lead in the first quarter, with Osang pouring in nine points there. And knowing what was at stake and how much the team needs to sharpen up its game for the homestretch of the elimination round, UST kept its foot heavy on the gas pedal.
“We were up by 17 in the first half, and we were telling them that we have to be disciplined,” Martin said.
Osang’s strong showing didn’t mean he was the only one who starred for UST.
Amiel Acido finished with 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Landyn Jumawan chipped in 16 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Mark Llemit also came through with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Koji Buenaflor finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and a block.
Toper Lagat paced UE with 22 points, three rebounds and three assists.
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