MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The University of East (UE) Red Warriors escaped the neck-and-neck final quarter with a 96-91 win over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers on Saturday, October 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

It took until the final game of the first elimination round for UE to nab its first victory as they improve to 1-6, while while UST ends the first round of the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at 0-7.

The Red Warriors came into the game riding high from their last game against the Green Archers last Wednesday, October 4. The Red Warriors lost to the defending champions, but they put up a 23-4 run and Alvin Pasaol broke the single-game scoring record with 49 points. 

The first quarter tipped off to a close battle between the two teams as the scoreline went stale at 9-all until Jason Varilla and Philip Manalang hit back-to-back buckets with 10 seconds left in the first. 

The following quarter saw the teams trade leads until Pasaol’s triple ignited a 18-2 run that ballooned the lead of the Red Warriors to 15 points.  

The Growling Tigers came back from their first half deficit to come within two points of the Red Warriors via the heroics of Marvin Lee as he nailed 3 triples in the third quarter alone. 

In the final frame, The Growling Tigers finally brought the score to an 81-all tie thanks to Jeepy Faundo’s layup. However, the Red Warriors ebbed away at the lead with back-to-back scores.

UST failed to capitalize on charities to take the lead, as they were already within one point with less than a minute left in the game. Pasaol’s jumper in the the last 22 seconds sealed the win for th Red Warriors.

Pasaol continued to lead the Red Warriors by topscoring with a double-double of 32 points and 10 rebounds. Manalang followed with 20 points, 7 assists and 2 steals. 

Lee led his winless team with 20 markers, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal, while Steve Akomo provided the inside presence with a double-double of 19 points and 18 rebounds. 

Scores

UE (96) – Pasaol 32, Manalang 20, Olayon 15, Varilla 15, Bartolome 5, Acuno 4, Abanto 2, Conner 2, Maloles 1, Derige 0, Cullar 0.

UST (91) – Lee 20, Akomo 19, Sta. Ana 13, Faundo 12, Caunan 10, De Guzman 4, Lorenzana 3, Soriano 2, Romero 2, Huang 2, Garcia 2, Escalambre 2, Macasaet 0, Kwawukumey 0.

Quarter Scores: 27-20, 54-43, 75-71, 96-91

– Rappler.com