THE UST Tiger Cubs survived a fourth-quarter surge and turned back the University of the Philippines-Integrated School Junior Maroons, 91-83, to stay in the UAAP Final Four contention at The Arena in San Juan Saturday.
Cy Narvaza delivered his best game of the tournament with 22 points and 14 rebounds while CJ Cansino chipped in 22 markers and 10 boards.
The Junior Maroons stayed within striking distance with 47 second left in the game, 83-89, after UST was called for a five-second violation.
But Tiger Cub CJ Balingit stole the ball with a little over 30 seconds remaining as Timothy dela Cruz buried a pair of free throws to secure the victory.
“Nagmadali tayo. Nawala ‘yung set natin sa plays, kung nakakita sila ng open gustong tapusin na kaagad [kahit malaki pa ang oras] which is mali,” UST head coach Chris Cantonjos said.
UST led by 19 points early in the fourth period, 76-57. But UPIS came back a 16-4 run to close the gap, 73-80, with 4:14 remaining.
The Tiger Cubs went 48.5 percent from the field and outrebounded the Junior Maroons, 57-46.
Juan Gomez de Liaño registered 27 points and 12 rebounds for UP.
UST (3-7) is now in a three-way tie for fifth place with UPIS and De La Salle-Zobel.
The Tiger Cubs will face second-seeded Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m., at the same venue.
