No Excuses, No Surrender: UST Stuns La Salle Behind Collins, Nic
The UST Growling Tigers are just getting started. After a massive upset over the UP Fighting Maroons last week, they walked into Game 2 with fire in their eyes — and left with a statement win. This time, their victims were the DLSU Green Archers, who had beaten UST in 17 straight encounters dating back to 2015.
Not all wins start off easy. The Tigers trailed by four at the half, with La Salle holding the momentum and keeping UST on the ropes. The Archers managed to suppress the usual dominance of UST’s big man, Collins Akowe, with tight interior defense and physicality in the paint.
Still, UST didn’t flinch. They stayed focused and leaned on the same resilience that carried them through their first win of the season.
“We just remind the players what we were doing, especially with our last game against UP,” Assistant Coach Japs Cuan told ALL-STAR. “We just remind them to stay resilient, no matter what the adversity. We are just happy that the boys responded.”
Despite battling a fever, Akowe delivered a powerhouse performance with 20 points and 19 rebounds. His effort set the tone — not just statistically, but emotionally — for a team refusing to back down.
“Of course, especially after the first game, we knew from the start they were gonna do schemes against Collins,” Cuan continued. “Credit to Collins because I think he played under the weather today. He just wheeled through it. He said no excuses.”
Leading the offensive charge was Nic Cabañero, who exploded for 27 points, slicing through La Salle’s defense and taking over the game when it mattered most. Composed but courageous, he anchored UST’s fourth-quarter comeback, which saw the Tigers outscore the Archers 21–10 to seal a 93–84 victory.
The win didn’t just mark a 2–0 start for UST — it shattered a near-decade-long drought against La Salle and signaled that this Tiger squad is for real. But more than the stats or the streak, the performance was defined by unity.
“We’re one big family here,” said Cuan. “So we just, you know, we get them back up — wherever it is, whoever it is, no matter who it is.”
Game 2 was intense and emotional, but the Growling Tigers refused to fold. With grit, trust, and a “no excuses” mindset, they played through the adversity — and they came out roaring.
For our profile on Collins Akowe and how he prepared for his first UAAP season, read here.
