THE UST Growling Tigers took an 88-81 beating against the Adamson University Falcons, in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Down by 14 with three minutes remaining in the payoff period, UST closed the gap to 5 with a 9-0 run with 29.6 ticks remaining.
But Falcon Jerie Pingoy converted both of charities to seal the win.
The Tigers uncorked a 17-8 run to cut a 11-point Adamson lead in the third frame, 57-60.
But the Falcons retaliated with a 10-1 run to erect a 70-58 lead after three.
“‘Yun ‘yung storya ng game, 41 turnovers. We were not able to do our plan, ‘yung game plan namin nag-iba ‘dun sa nilaro ng players,” UST head coach Boy Sablan said.
The Tigers’ only lead came in the opening minutes after Reggie Basibas sank a freethrow, 3-2.
Adamson scored 32 easy points off the Tigers’ 41 turnovers.
The Falcons’ bench also did most of the damage, scoring 54 out of their 88 total points.
Robbie Manalang led Adamson with 19 points while Kurt Lojera added 16 markers.
Jeepy Faundo had a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds while team captain Marvin Lee and Jordan Sta. Ana chipped in 14 markers apiece.
Adamson improved to a 1-1 win-loss record while UST dropped to 0-2.
The Tigers will try to bounce back against the National University Bulldogs on Sept. 20, Wednesday, 2 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena.
