THE UST Tiger Cubs absorbed a 78-54 beating from the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eaglets in the UAAP Season 80 boys’ basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan Saturday.
The Blue Eaglets banked on a 30-9 run to build a 50-33 lead in the third quarter.
“Defense yung nawala, ‘yun yung iko-correct natin,” UST coach Chris Cantonjos said.
The Tiger Cubs started strong with an 18-13 lead in the first quarter.
The Blue Eaglets’ height made the difference and had a 50-26 advantage in paint points.
Ateneo also notched 59 rebounds against the Tiger Cubs’ 43.
Sean Ildefonso led Ateneo with 20 points and seven boards while Kai Sotto chipped in 11 markers, 12 boards and five blocks.
CJ Cansino had 16 points on a 6-of-20 shooting clip and 12 rebounds for UST.
Cansino leads the season MVP race after the first round with 100.57 statistical points (SP) behind averages of 27.6 points per game and 14.6 rebounds per game. Kai Sotto had 74.42 SP at second place.
The Tiger Cubs remained at third place in the standings despite falling to a 5-3 record.
UST will next face the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons on Jan. 17, Wednesday, 9 a.m., at the same venue.
