Santo Tomas needed three overtimes to earn a 98-89 against Ateneo and gain a piece of the lead in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball yesterday at the refurbished Blue Eagle Gym in Katipunan.
The Growling Tigers saved their best for last, forcing the Blue Eagles to just four points in the third extension to share the UAAP leadership with National U at 4-1 nearing the end of the first round.
Included in the killer finisher was a 9-0 blast capped by Collins Akowe’s layup to turn an 85-85 count after two extra sessions to a sudden 94-85 cushion heading home.
Akowe collared 20 points and 19 rebounds laced by three steals and three blocks, none bigger than the game-tying free throws in the last 31.6 seconds of the second OT to keep Santo Tomas afloat.
‘It was a triple overtime game so throw away all the numbers. It was all heart for both teams,’ said assistant coach Juno Sauler on the UAAP’s first triple extension since women’s basketball in 2018.
Earlier, Adamson needed a strong closeout after wasting a 20-point lead to keep University of the East winless, 76-62.
Adamson climbed to 2-4 for solo sixth place ahead of another tough assignment against red-hot Santo Tomas next Saturday.