UP stuns UST in double overtime for fourth straight win

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons hacked out a massive 103-101 double-overtime win over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers for their fourth consecutive victory in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Oct. 21, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After momentum swung throughout four quarters, both schools needed two extra periods to settle the outcome, and the boys from Diliman proved they had enough gas left in the tank to come out on top.

Veejay Pre was a man on a mission, single-handedly carrying UP in the second overtime and scoring all seven of the Fighting Maroons’ points to finish with a team-high 30.

Before overtime, UP and UST engaged in a high-octane dogfight after the Growling Tigers contained the Fighting Maroons’ early outburst with a crucial 13-2 run in the first four minutes of the third quarter.

Just when UST appeared ready to sustain its surge after stretching the lead to 11 points, 62-51, UP countered with an inspired run through the collective effort of Jacob Bayla, Chicco Briones, Noy Remogat, and Pre.

Remogat’s layup put UP within striking distance, 72-70, erasing UST’s double-digit lead and setting up a grueling nip-and-tuck affair in the final seven minutes of regulation.

The Fighting Maroons appeared headed for another dominant closeout after stretching their cushion to eight points, 84-76, with only 1:15 remaining.

However, the Growling Tigers silenced the UP crowd as Landyn Jumawan, Mark Llemit, Kirk Cañete, and Collins Akowe combined for a 10-2 run that forced the first overtime.

Needing two points to tie the game, UST turned to Akowe underneath, and he powered his way to the basket to make it 86-all.

UP had a chance to win with 8.2 seconds left, but Remogat’s deep 3-point attempt over the outstretched arms of Akowe bounced hard off the rim.

In the final 1:24 of the first overtime, UP gave UST a dose of its own medicine by rallying from an 89-96 deficit.

Pre cut the gap to four points with a much-needed 3-pointer before Bayla added a layup and Miguel Yniguez sank two clutch free throws to tie the game at 96-all.

Both teams had chances to break the deadlock, but UP stopped Llemit’s driving attempt, and Pre missed a long 3-point heave on the next possession that could have ended the game.

After a seesaw first overtime, the second extra period became Pre’s offensive masterclass as the superstar power forward schooled UST’s defense with an array of isolation conversions.

Pre opened the extra period with a slick jab-step drive to the basket, a face-up perimeter jumper, and an open layup to give UP a three-point lead, 102-99, with only 46 seconds left.

After making a defensive stop, UST had a golden chance to win when it ran a four-on-three break in the final eight seconds, but Cañete missed the acrobatic floater, ending the Growling Tigers’ bid to snap UP’s UAAP winning streak.

Along with Pre’s 30-point explosion, Briones stepped up for the Fighting Maroons with 14 points, while Remogat added 10 points and six assists.

UST received a career-high performance from Llemit, who delivered 33 points, but his individual brilliance was not enough to stop UP’s winning ways.

UP will gun for its fifth straight win on Oct. 25 against the winless University of the East, while UST will try to regain its footing on the same date against De La Salle University.