University of Santo Tomas is back in its finest form, taking down University of the East, 70-55, to open its bid in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Following disappointing campaigns in the past three seasons with only six wins to show for themselves, the Growling Tigers led from tipoff until the buzzer as they proved to be a picture of dominance in their first win. 

UST holdover Christian Manaytay turned in a perfect 5-of-5 shooting to finish with 10 points that went with three rebounds. 

Import Mo Tounkara, who replaced Adama Faye in the post, turned in an impressive UAAP debut with 13 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting that went with four rebounds. 

Nic Cabañero knocked down a layup with less than two minutes left in the match to give UST a fresh 22-point cushion, 68-46, its biggest lead in the one-sided affair and finished with a team-best 14 points. 

Though the Red Warriors showed similar intensity at some parts of the match, the Growling Tigers were simply too unfazed and well prepared to show any sort of letup. 

“First of all, this is a team effort. Second, credit to the coaches for the game plan. Happy ako sa first game na to. Ito 'yung breakout game namin. 'Yung confidence namin nataas and we're well prepared," said UST head coach Pido Jarencio. 

Last season’s Rookie of the Year runner-up Precious Momowei was a reliable pacer for the Red Warriors after posting a double-double outing of 12 points on top of 10 rebounds. 

Apart from Momowei, UE holdover Ethan Galang added 11 markers with Devin Fikes, who was assisted off the court with an apparent left knee pain in the third quarter, had nine points to his name.