FOR THE second straight year, the UST Tiger Cubs made an early exit in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premiere Cup.
The Cubs went cold early in the second half and suffered a 48-66 beating at the hands of the San Sebastian-Recoletos Golden Staglets at The Arena in San Juan last May 30.
UST lost its last four outings and finished the preseason tournament with a 1-4 win-loss record.
After a close first half, 27-32, against the NCAA powerhouse, UST surrendered nine unanswered points to open the third period as the Staglets pulled away, 41-27.
Nicole Luna tried to keep UST in the game with six straight points to cut the deficit, 33-41, but the Staglets’ ball movement and rebounding was too much for the struggling Cubs.
Luna and Kin Santos scored 12 markers apiece to lead UST, while Lorenzo Navarro dropped 10 points for the Staglets.
San Sebastian extended its lead to 18, 60-42, late in the fourth quarter before cruising to the easy victory.
“We were really short on rotation, some of our big guys were out so we went small ball,” said coach Bryan Angeles. “Although that is not an excuse and we did not expect them (San Sebastian) to quickly adjust to us going small. Ferrer’s injury really hurt us.”
Vince Ferrer, younger brother of Growling Tiger Kevin, went down in the second quarter after landing on the foot of an opponent.
Last May 19, the Tiger Cubs endured a similar thrashing against the FEU Baby Tamaraws, 42-63.
UST scored a total of six points in the second quarter as FEU built a lead as much as 28, 57-29.
Despite the defeat, the Tiger Cubs had reason to celebrate after copping their second-straight Guam Youth Games title last May 13 at the Our Lady of Guam Gymnasium.
UST ran away in the second half against the FD Friars to clinch the championship, 68-53.
Guam’s top three high school selections participated in the tournament while a Pampanga selection joined UST as entries from the Philippines.
Previously part of the first semester sports, UAAP Season 77 junior’s basketball was moved to November. Angeles said the Cubs will take the time to regroup and adjust their system.
“The kids were also stressed out from the practice and games. Pahinga muna kami kasi masyado kaming nabugbog sa summer league,” Angeles said. “Nag-peak na kami pero nawala rin kasi lahat ng liga sinalihan namin.”
