The UST Growling Tigers return to the Final Four after five years as they crushed the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 75-49, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Amiel Acido steered the game for the Growling Tigers with a career-high of 14 points along with one block, steal, and an assist.

*“Mindset ko lang naman simula [nung] una, pag binigyan ako ng chance, gagawin ko lahat para makapag contribute sa team,” * Acido said.

The opening quarter saw the Soaring Falcons rain five three-point shots on España, while Mark Llemit and Gelo Crisostomo answered with their own tiger long bombs to end the quarter only trailing by two, 16-18.

Crisostomo tied the game at the beginning of the second frame with a layup, 18-18. The Tigers were struggling to steal the lead when Acido came alive, cashing in a long bomb for the lead, 27-25.

Forthsky Padriago followed to add the lead, 29-25, but Adamson responded with a three-point basket before the buzzer leaving UST with only a one-point lead by halftime, 29-28.

Rookie Acido went on fire and picked up eight points in the third quarter off two three-pointers and a two-point bucket.

Nic Cabañero, who had a slow start, managed to find his footing as he threw shots inside the paint to leave Adamson behind by 20 points, 52-32.

The final quarter saw Mo Tounkara, Christian Manaytay, Kyle Paranada, and Leeland Estacio drain successful buckets from behind the arc to further delay the Falcons’ flight with a 26-point take down, 75-49.

The Growling Tigers collected 38 bench points as opposed to Adamson’s 21 bench points.

UST head coach Pido Jarencio said that they will create a new story despite having a slightly similar scenario with the Season 82 team.

*“Gawa tayo ng bagong storya, kanya-kanyang storya ‘yan eh,” *said Jarencio.

Matthew Montebon scored 14 points, one steal, and a block in the losing effort for the Soaring Falcons.

UST currently sits at the third spot with a 7-7 win-loss record and will be facing the UP Fighting Maroons in the Final Four matchup.

The league is yet to announce the schedule for the Final Four games as the cast is still waiting for the final seed to be claimed by either UE or Adamson.