The UST Growling Tigers bowed to the Letran Knights in overtime, 103-102, in the quarterfinals of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Friday, July 10, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre after costly turnovers spoiled their campaign.
Ball security proved decisive as UST committed 22 turnovers, seven more than Letran. Powered by Chad Gammad’s 27 points on seven 3-pointers, the Knights converted those miscues into 34 points, while the Tigers managed just 15 points off Letran’s turnovers.
“Personally, feel ko marami pang kulang, marami pa akong kailangan matutunan,” Amiel Acido told the Varsitarian. “Yung mga endgame, kung paano namin i-coclose yung games, we have to stay composed and we have to communicate more.”
Holding a 102-101 lead with less than 10 seconds remaining in overtime, UST’s Kirk Cañete turned the ball over in the backcourt, allowing George Diamante to score the game-winning layup for Letran.
Acido paced the Tigers with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Koji Buenaflor and Peter Osang chipped in 18 and 17 points, respectively, in the losing effort.
Collins Akowe, Gelo Crisostomo, Donovan Sevilla and Ivanne Calum did not see action.
After falling behind by seven early, UST answered with a 7-0 run to knot the score at 20-all. Titing Manalili then scored on consecutive possessions to give Letran a 24-20 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Gammad sparked an 8-0 run of his own to stretch Letran’s advantage to 32-20. The Tigers responded by outscoring the Knights 29-14 for the remainder of the second quarter to take a 49-46 halftime lead.
Letran stayed within striking distance throughout the third quarter before Diamante knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Knights a 72-69 edge heading into the fourth.
With the score tied at 86 in regulation, Acido buried a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left. However, a UST turnover led to a Gammad triple that forced overtime at 89-all.
The Tigers regained a four-point lead, 102-98, after Mark Llemit made two free throws with 17.1 seconds remaining. Letran answered with a corner 3-pointer by Jimboy Estrada before Diamante capitalized on UST’s late turnover to complete the comeback.
