UST ends 16-game skid vs La Salle with 93-84 victory

University of Santo Tomas' Collins Akowe acknowledged La Salle's Mike Phillips after their intense matchup, despite UST securing a 93-84 victory that ended a 16-game losing streak against their rivals.

Akowe praised Phillips as a tough player, noting it was their first time competing against each other in person.

While Phillips struggled offensively with eight points, he dominated the boards with 15 rebounds.

Akowe recorded an impressive double-double with 20 points and 19 rebounds, contributing 12 points and 13 rebounds in the second half.

He admitted to facing difficulties in the first half due to Phillips and other La Salle defenders but managed to overcome it in the second half.

The UST big man emphasized maintaining composure and respecting Phillips' game despite some heated exchanges during the match.

This victory marked UST's first win over La Salle since October 11, 2015, and gave them a temporary share of the lead with a 2-0 win-loss mark, a position not seen since Season 82 in 2019.

The 19-year-old Nigerian rookie is seen as disrupting the league's balance of power with his consistent threat of a 20-20 performance.