Just like the rule of any game, there will be winners and unfortunately losers. This time, UST was assigned in the unsuccessful side.
It was a fiery start. Big crowd in yellow cheering for "GoUSTe!" and with hopes of redeeming the title that they last held six years ago.
When everyone was on the momentum, things went rough and the tables easily turned for the Tigers.
They tried to stage a comeback though that kept the Thomasian community alive.
But their efforts were short.
The UST Growling Tigers went all out in the final canto but bowed down to four-time defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 78-83, dropping Game 1 of their best-of-three championship series in the UAAP Men's basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday Afternoon.
Jeric Teng steered UST with 25 points including two crucial three-pointers down the stretch while Aljon Mariano led the damage in the last quarter to register 22 markers and 12 rebounds.
Graduating forward Nico Salva sparkled with a career-high 30 points for Ateneo.
Down 10 points entering the fourth, Mariano stood up by his name as the Espana clutch cat after igniting seven points within two minutes of play to translate an 11-2 UST run and eventually snatch the lead, 64-63.
But Mr. 100% Norman Black could not just stare the Tigers from taking home Game 1.
Season 72 Finals' MVP Ryan Buenafe scored from a goaltending violation committed by UST's Karim Abdul capped by his dagger trey and a free-throw to give the lead back to the Blue Eagles, 77-70.
UST retaliated its defense. But Ateneo just utilized its experience at crunch time.
With Mariano completing a three-point play at 2:50 mark to cut the deficit to five, 72-77, Juami Tiongson hurt UST for the second time after scoring two key baskets that bubble their lead to nine, 81-72.
The UST crowd had a silent moment for a while in the last minute of regulation.
Teng took the limelight for a while.
The veteran shooting guard sparked two beyond the arc shots that kept the Thomasian spirit alive, 78-81, with less than 36 seconds to play.
The next turn of events made the biggest blow on the comeback kids' game.
Abdul fouled out of the game against the raging Kiefer Ravena, who made 13 points, that weakened the Tigers' much needed defense in the payoff period.
With half a minute to play, Ravena milked the clock for the Eagles following a long shot that that helped Ateneo to pull away for good, 83-78.
The Tigers opened the series by displaying a balanced scoring and a good transition defense that handed them an early seven-point lead in the first half, 38-31.
Coach Pido Jarencio meanwhile expressed his disappointments with the referees' officiating after questionable calls against his Cameroonian center, and the final foul of Buenafe against Teng, who took the last UST shot and missed.
“Kailangan ba mag-e-English ako para paburan ako? Ganun ba labanan dito?," said Jarencio. "Hindi totoo. Nasa Pilipinas tayo dapat tayong mga Pilipino mahalin niyang mga iyan."
Although Jarencio will not file a protest, he is wishing for a better officiating on their next game.
The Game 2 of the Finals will be held on Thursday, Oct. 11, 3:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum, where the Tigers remained unscathed in seven outings this season. ALEXIS U. CERADO ###
Dynasty or Destiny? YOU DECIDE.
BOX SCORES:
UST 78- Teng 25, Mariano 22, Ferrer 13, Abdul 9, Fortuna 4, Lo 3, Pe 2, Bautista 0,
Ateneo 83- Salva 30, Ravena 13, Tiongson 12, Buenafe 10, Chua 9, Slaughter 5, Gonzaga 2, Elorde 2, Sumalinog 0, Golla 0
Quarter scores: 24-18, 38-31, 51-61, 78-83
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Best of luck, Tigers! Let's go for the 2006 repeat! #FUELEDFORUST
