By MARK REY MONTEJO
Harold Alarcon displayed veteran poise and helped reigning champion University of the Philippine score an 89-88 redemption win over University of Santo Tomas to seize the solo second spot in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday, Nov. 5.
While Collins Akowe single-handedly keeping the Growling Tigers alive, Alarcon served as the go-to guy for the Maroons, what with his brilliance down the stretch which was capped off with a turnaround jumper with 24.3 second left in the payoff period.
That clutch basket answered the pressure-packed free throw drained by Amiel Acido earlier, 87-88, and followed up his several points to keep UP within striking distance after Akowe scored on a powerful inside play.
The Silay, Negros Occidental native, who also had crucial stop in the last play, starred with 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Noy Remogat chipped in 19 points as the State U tightened its hold for the second spot with a 7-3 card.
UST, meanwhile, suffered its fourth straight for a 5-5 slate, dropping them to a three-way tie with Adamson and Ateneo in the team standings.
It was a sweet revenge for Diliman-based squad after succumbing in the first encounter, 87-67, in this year’s opener last September.
“Sa possession na ‘yon nag-stay present lang ako, ‘yong nasa isip ko na kahit anong mangyari na kukunin ko ‘yong tira na ‘yon,” said Alarcon.
“Talagang nag-focus lang ako, kasi kailangan namin ‘tong panalo na ‘to,” he added.
Miguel Yñiguez and Mark Belmonte provided the support offensively with 11 and nine points, respectively, while Francis Nnoruka had a quiet six-point outing.
Akowe produced 26 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Nic Cabañero and Acido added 18 and 10 points.
Forthsky Padrigao registered just two points, two rebounds, six assists, and two steals before being sidelined in the third canto due to apparent foot injury.
Free throws also proved costly for UST, which converted only 28 of 52 attempts — a missed opportunity that could have given the Tigers the edge to close out the match.
The scores:
UP (89) – Alarcon 22, Remogat 19, Yñiguez 11, Belmonte 9, Nnoruka 6, Palanca 5, Stevens 5, Bayla 4, Fortea 4, Abadiano 2, Torres 2, Alter 0, Briones 0.
UST (88) – Akowe 26, Cabañero 18, Acido 10, Buenaflor 9, Paranada 8, Llemit 8, Estacio 5, Padrigao 2, Crisostomo 2, Laure 0, Calum 0, Danting 0.
Quarters: 21-26, 45-47, 68-63, 89-83.
