Wednesday, September 18, 2013
UST claims last spot in UAAP 76 Final Four; eliminates Ateneo
After five years, there will be a new champion in the UAAP, after the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 82-74, to claim the last spot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 76 men's basketball tournament.
The two teams who faced off for the UAAP crown in Season 75 battled for the last Final Four berth Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum, and this time, it was the Growling Tigers who came out on top.
Karim Abdul exploded for 25 points, including key baskets in the fourth quarter while three other UST players also scored in double figures.
With their victory, UST now advances to the Final Four, where they will take on the top-seeded National University Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, the Ateneo Blue Eagles became only the second defending champion in the Final Four era to fail to make it to the semi-finals. Wednesday's loss also snapped their streak of 14 consecutive seasons of making the Final Four.
The Growling Tigers dominated the first half thanks to Karim Abdul, who imposed his will on the Ateneo frontcourt and scored 19 points in the first two quarters.
Ateneo was within five points, 14-19, with two minutes to go in the first period, when UST coach Pido Jarencio inserted back-up guard Ed Daquioag into the game. He provided an immediate spark, teaming up with Abdul in a 6-0 run to end the quarter that gave UST a 25-14 lead.
The Tigers' advantage ballooned to 18 points in the second period. After baskets by Ryan Buenafe and Von Pessumal made it 24-19, the Growling Tigers scored 12 straight points, six of them from Abdul.
The Blue Eagles ended the first half on a 7-2 run to make it a 13-point game, 39-26, at halftime. But Ateneno only shot 24.1% in the first two quarters, while allowing UST to convert 45.2% of their shots.
UAAP 76 Men's Srs. Basketball Playoff for #2:
DLSU v FEU on Sept 21, Sat (MOA Arena) LIVE at 3:30 p.m
UAAP 76 Men's Srs Basketball Final 4 SCHEDULE:
SEPT. 22, 3;30 PM - NU Bulldogs v UST Growling Tigers (NU twice-to-beat)
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