Eye of the Tiger: UST ends Ateneo's UAAP reign
University of Sto. Tomas outplayed defending champion Ateneo, 82-74, to clinch the last Final Four berth and in the process end the Blue Eagles' five-year reign as UAAP champions.
Jeric Teng sank five crucial free throws in the last minute to complete the Growling Tigers' stunning win and arrange a Final Four showdown with top seed National University.
The Blue Eagles became the first defending champion to miss out on the Final Four since Far Eastern University in 2006, and also saw their Final Four streak end at a league-record 14 straight years.
The Main Man: With his brother Jeron wearing a UST shirt and cheering him on, Jeric Teng was not about to let this be his final UAAP game.
Also cheered on by father Alvin and mother Susan all game long, the 6-foot-2 wingman shone the brightest notably in the fourth where he pumped in eight of his 17 points, highlighted by a pull-up triple that gave them a 75-63 lead.
After the Blue Eagles threatened within 71-75, Teng showed steely nerves and eventually spared the Tigers’ blushes, making five of the team’s last seven points from the 15-foot line.
Honorable Mention: UST got off to an “aggressive start” according to coach Pido Jarencio and it was clearly Karim Abdul who made the big difference.
Throwing his full weight around the lane, the Cameroonian native banged in 19 of his game-best 25 points in the first half where the Tigers gained quick control with a 37-19 cushion. Although Teng waxed hot in the fourth, Abdul imposed his domination on the defensive end, swatting several shots and went on to finish with five blocks.
Game Turning Point: Despite falling into an 18-point hole in the early goings, the Blue Eagles clawed back and even pulled within 51-52 going into the fourth.
The Tigers, however, proved steadier behind the likes of Teng and Abdul, restoring their lead to 75-63 with 2:34 left to play.
Eight straight points kept Ateneo in the thick of things in the last 52.8 seconds, only to be foiled by the steady free throw shooting of Teng as the UST faithful among the 13,448 in attendance whooped it up.
He Said It:
UST coach Pido Jarencio: “I give credit to the players. It’s all about the heart and pride. Masarap ‘yung pakiramdam. Tinalo nila kami last year tapos ngayon, we knocked them out in the Final Four. It’s about time na magpalit lang at mag-iba ang champion this year.”
The scores:
UST (82) – Abdul 25, Teng 17, Daquioag 13, Ferrer 10, Mariano 7, Bautista 6, Sheriff 4, Pe 0, Lo 0, Lao 0.
Ateneo (74) – Ravena 20, Newsome 13, Elorde 12, Buenafe 9, Pessumal 8, Golla 4, Erram 4, Tolentino 2, Tiongson 2, Capacio 0.
Quarterscores: 25-14, 39-26, 52-51, 82-74.
