Tigers check slump, snap Tams’ streak

MANILA, Philippines — In front of NBA legend Dwyane Wade, Santo Tomas clawed back from 15 points down to snap Far Eastern’s four-game spree, 81-69, and get back on track in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After a 29-9 third-quarter explosion erasing an early double-digit deficit, the Growling Tigers unleashed a 12-0 finishing kick to check a two-game slump and jump to 3-3, joining La Salle and Ateneo in the middle of the team standings.

The red-hot Tamaraws’ bid to run away from the pack got spoiled. They dropped to 4-2.

Mark Llemit flashed an all-around brilliance of 18 points, 11 rebounds and six assists laced by a steal and a block while Collins Akowe hauled down a 14-point, 19-rebound double-double to anchor Santo Tomas’ huge bounceback from a week-long struggle. A stinger was an 87-85 overtime loss at the buzzer to National U (4-2) courtesy of Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) Player of the Week Reinhard Jumamoy.

Andrew Chio and Amiel Acido chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively, in UST’s big win that was witnessed by Miami Heat legend Wade, who is in Manila for his “TADHANA: Make Your Own Way” Tour.

“It has been a hell week for us after those two losses. It’s heartbreaker versus NU and in this game, there was a huge disparity in the first half. Nagtulong-tulong lahat and the team responded,” said deputy Peter Martin, speaking in behalf of chief tactician Pido Jarencio.

Later, Noy Remogat fired 14 points as UP used a fourth-quarter avalanche to escape Adamson, 69-67, and forge a three-way lead with FEU and idle NU at 4-2.