University of the Philippines succumbed to the University of Santo Tomas, 67-87, in its first game of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in España, Manila. 

Playing without top performer Forthsky Padrigao due to a carried over suspension from his ejection in their final four clash last season, UST relied on 6-foot-10 foreign student athlete Collins Akowe, who exploded with 29 points and 17 rebounds. 

UST capitalized on UP’s open center by earning 18 points in the paint, eventually building on an early 18-4 lead, and finishing the quarter up by 12, 31-19. 

UP tried to respond in the second frame with the help of Harold Alarcon and Mark Belmonte’s nine points each, even holding onto a slim 22-18 lead. They also scored 11 points off fastbreak plays compared to UST’s two. Still, the Diliman-based squad found themselves down 43-57 at the half.

While the maroon-and-green fought close in the third, UST had already built a big enough lead to secure the win. Akowe’s consistent scoring throughout the game, together with UP’s struggle to find buckets, paved the way for the España-based squad’s dub. 

Mark Belmonte led UP with 12 points and four rebounds, while Jacob Bayla scored 11 and three rebounds. Harold Alarcon also contributed 11, all scored during the first half. 

Akowe was assisted by Paranada’s 18 points, making all six of his free throw attempts. 

This is the Growling Tigers’ first win against the Fighting Maroons since Season 82, when Renzo Subido shot a game-winning three in their sudden-death Final Four match to advance to the Finals. 

Meanwhile, the loss marks the first time UP has dropped its opening game since Season 84, losing to the Ateneo Blue Eagles 81-90, before the then-JD Cagulangan and Malick Diouf-led squad went on to win the championship.

While this may not be the ideal start to the season, Head Coach Goldwin Monteverde is eager to prepare for their next game, emphasizing that, “No matter how tough it is, we need to realize that staying together and working together [are what’s important].”

UP will look to grab its first win against Adamson University on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion at 4 PM. Meanwhile, UST is set to face last season’s runners up in the De La Salle University Archers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday at 4:30 PM.

Box Scores

UST 87 – Akowe 29, Paranada 18, Cabañero 9, Crisostomo 8, Buenaflor 7, Calum 4, Llemit 3, Estacio 3, Acido 2, Laure 2, Sevilla 2, Bangco 0, Manding 0, Bucsit 0, Danting 0.

UP 67 – Belmonte 12, Alarcon 11, Bayla 11, Bayla 6, Torres 6, Nnoruka 5, Fortea 4, Felicilda 4, Abadiano 2, Alter 2, Palanca 2, Briones 2, Stevens 0.

Quarterscores: 31-19, 57-43, 70-57, 87-67.