UST Wins AsiaBasket NSAC Championship
UST completed an unbeaten AsiaBasket NSAC College Basketball Campus Tour run by beating NU, 95-84, in the championship game on Sunday, May 31, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Mark Llemit was named Finals MVP after finishing with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Amiel Acido added 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists, giving the Growling Tigers a strong title finish after also beating reigning UAAP champion La Salle in the semifinals.
NU had the better start, with Reinhard Jumamoy powering an early burst that pushed the Bulldogs ahead, 20-8, before they closed the first quarter up, 28-21.
The Bulldogs stretched the lead to 12 in the second period, but UST stayed within reach behind Llemit, trimming the deficit to 52-45 at halftime instead of letting the game get away.
The game turned in the third quarter, when UST opened the half with a 10-2 run, took its first lead at 55-54, then closed the period with a bigger surge capped by Acido’s buzzer-beating three for a 78-68 lead.
From there, the Tigers kept NU at arm’s length for most of the fourth quarter, while Jumamoy finished with 18 points and eight assists for the Bulldogs.
The win gave UST the NSAC crown and a major preseason statement ahead of its next tournament.
