Romwel Anzures

University of Santo Tomas forward Gelo Crisostomo against National University in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.

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<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763894198853UAAP 88 MBB NU vs. UST- Gelo Crisostomo-8432.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>University of Santo Tomas forward Gelo Crisostomo against National University in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — University of Santo Tomas has punched its ticket into the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s basketball Final 4.The Growling Tigers are headed into the postseason as the third seed after they caught fire in the second half en route to an 80-71 win over National University on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.Gelo Crisostomo and Amiel Acido took turns in draining three-pointers to finish with 13 and 11 points, respectively to lift the Thomasians to their eighth win in 13 games.This win sets UST a Final 4 rematch against the second-seeded University of the Philippines in the postseason, but for head coach Pido Jarencio, it also silences the outside noise which grew louder when they were in their four-game skid. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/11/23/pido-jarencio-fires-back-at-doubters-after-ust-makes-final-4-in-contract-year-1958">READ: Pido Jarencio fires back at doubters after UST makes Final 4 in &#x27;contract year&#x27;</a></div>&quot;Marami nang nagdududa: &#x27;Papasok pa kaya &#x27;tong UST na &#x27;to? Ano ba &#x27;tong UST na &#x27;to? Joke lang ba &#x27;to?&#x27; No, we&#x27;re here. Parating na kami,&quot; said Jarencio, who also drew 11 markers each from Collins Akowe and Mark Llemit as they won their third straight. &quot;Basta kami, we&#x27;re doing our job. Yung mga players na &#x27;to, pine-prepare namin, and we work hard,&quot; he added.And they indeed did their job in the second half.UST turned a 39-48 deficit into a 78-65 advantage, and this was also thanks in large part to Acido tallying all of his scoring production in the last two frames, with nine coming from beyond the arc.Tebol Garcia and Omar John looked to will the Bulldogs back in the fourth as they cut their disadvantage to eight, 63-71, with still six minutes left, but Acido, Forth Padrigao, and Llemit put the finishing touches to seal the victory.John led National U with a 12-point, 11-rebound outing, Nath Talabut followed with 10, while Garcia finished with nine in the Bulldogs&#x27; third loss in 14 games.<div> </div><div>The Scores: </div>UST 80 – Crisostomo 13, Akowe 11, Llemit 11, Acido 11, Paranada 9, Cabañero 9, Padrigao 8, Buenaflor 7, Estacio 1, Laure 0, Calum 0.NU 71 – John 12, Tulabut 10, Garcia 9, Manansala 8, Palacielo 6, Padrones 6, Dela Cruz 4, Parks 4, Francisco 3, Figueroa 3, Jumamoy 3, Enriquez 3, Solomon 0, Reyes 0.Quarterscores: 16-19, 37-38, 58-53, 80-71.

University of Santo Tomas has punched its ticket into the #UAAPSeason88 men’s basketball Final 4.

University of Santo Tomas has punched its ticket into the #UAAPSeason88 men’s basketball Final 4.

UAAP: UST catches fire against National U to punch Final 4 ticket

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UAAP: UST catches fire against National U to punch Final 4 ticket

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 23, 2025 06:39 PM PHT

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Updated November 23, 2025 09:12 PM PHT

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Basketball

UAAP

ABSSports

UAAP Season 88

UAAP Basketball

UST Growling Tigers

NU Bulldogs

Gelo Crisostomo

Amiel Acido

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