UAAP: Pre outduels Llemit, UP outlasts UST in double OT thriller

MANILA (UPDATED) — Veejay Pre took over down the stretch as University of the Philippines outlasted University of Santo Tomas in double overtime, 103-101, in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Pre scored seven of his career-best 30 points in the second OT to steer the Fighting Maroons to their fourth straight win and a league-best six wins in eight outings.

“Nagtiwala lang ako sa sarili ko, kasi tinatrabaho ko naman ‘to,” said Pre, who also tallied 16 rebounds, four steals, and three assists as State U rallied from a 12-point deficit and overcame Mark Llemit’s own career-high 33-point performance.

The Growling Tigers still had a chance to force a third overtime after Llemit’s basket with 42 seconds remaining trimmed the deficit to 102-101, but Kirk Cañete missed a fastbreak opportunity before Pre iced the game from the foul line.

UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde was hardly surprised by Pre’s performance, saying it was exactly what they expected from the former Far Eastern University star.

“Veejay is the hardest worker sa amin, and ‘pag nakita mo yung ganon, ‘di ka talaga magdadalawang isip sa kanya,” said Monteverde of Pre, who redeemed himself after missing a potential game-winner at the end of the first OT.

Tied at 98 in the second extension, Pre scored four straight points for a 102-98 lead, giving UP a valuable two-possession cushion with 1:32 left on the clock.

Unfortunately for UST, Llemit’s crucial basket that pulled them within one was wasted after Cañete missed his go-ahead attempt, while Amiel Acido committed an inbound turnover in the final seconds that allowed UP to seal the win.

Llemit also added four rebounds and two assists but committed seven turnovers, while Collins Akowe’s 23-point, 18-rebound performance, along with three assists, also went for naught as UST absorbed its fourth loss in eight games.

UP 103 – Pre 30, Briones 14, Remogat 10, Bayla 8, Stevens 8, Ududo 8, Dimaculangan 7, Yñiguez 7, Maga 6, Payosing 5, Alter 0.

UST 101 – Llemit 33, Akowe 23, Cañete 16, Jumawan 9, Acido 7, Buenaflor 6, Porter 4, Esteban 3, Chio 0, Alao 0, Danting 0.

Quarterscores: 26-24, 47-49, 65-72, 86-86, 96-96, 103-101.