Amiel Acido scores breakout game to power UST Growling Tigers against Adamson Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas rookie Amiel Acido has had a lot of memorable moments inside the San Juan Arena.

He added another notable game on Saturday to end the Growling Tigers’ elimination round in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

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UST defeated Adamson, 75-49, to secure the third seed for the upcoming  UAAP Final Four behind a breakthrough game from their prized rookie Acido.

It’s not like Acido performing on San Juan’s big stage is anything unusual.

READ: UAAP: ‘Do-or-die’ approach has UST winning again

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In fact, the Perpetual Help Junior Altas product has some memorable moments in mind.

“I couldn’t forget my first game here. As a kid, studying in an NCAA school means we don’t really play our first game here. We play in other schools’ gyms so I dreamed of playing here and when we did, we got our first win,” said Acido.

“Another moment was us winning in the Final Four, making history by bringing our school to the Finals for the first time. Then, there’s Game 2 of the Finals, we won and I think that was the best moment for me, seeing my teammates and family over there in Perps all rise up together. That’s my best moment in San Juan.”

READ: UAAP: UST Tigers–no longer sporting buzz cuts–are buzzing

Acido recorded 14 points built on four buckets from rainbow country in the best game of his rookie season, thus far.

The NCAA Season 99 boys’ basketball tournament MVP kept it real and said there’s already a level of comfortability in the Filoil EcoOil Centre as he already tallied some of his best moments in the arena that can approximately hold 6,000 spectators.

“I really missed playing on that court. I just feel different here and whenever I do play here, I really feel at home. When I play here, my confidence is high.”