by Nikki Collantes
PASAY CITY - The UST Growling Tigers book their finals appearance as they knockout the UP Fighting Maroons on the UAAP Season 82 Stepladder semifinals, with 68-65, Wednesday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With the Growling Tigers win, they will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on November 16, Saturday, 4 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UAAP Season 82 Season's MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo led the Growling Tigers with 22 points, 8/18 field goals, and 16 rebounds. While Renzo Subido chipped in 14 points, 4/9 3 field goals together with UAAP S82 Rookie Mark Nonoy also chipped in 12 points and six assists.
Former UAAP Season 81 Season's MVP Bright Akhuetie led the Fighting Maroons with 16 points. Together with Senior Jun Manzo and Ricci Rivero who chipped in 12 points but fell short and failed to bring UP to the finals.
Jun Manzo, Janjan Jaboneta, Jerson Prado, Jaybie Mantilla, Jaydee Tungcab and Pio Longa played their last game for the UP Fighting Maroons.
The Scores:
UST 68 -- Chabi Yo 22, Subido 14, Nonoy 12, Abando 11, Ando 3, Cansino 2, Concepcion 2, Paraiso 2, Bataller 0, Huang 0.
UP 65 -- Akhuetie 16, Manzo 12, Rivero 12, Ju. Gomez de Liano 8, Paras 8, Spencer 3, Ja. Gomez de Liano 2, Prado 2, Webb 2, Murrell 0, Tungcab 0.
Quarterscores: 18-6, 29-28, 49-44, 68-65.
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