Tiger Cubs back in Final Four after 6 years

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Photo by Michael Angelo M. Reyes

Most Valuable Player CJ Cansino poured in 24 points and nine rebounds and the UST Tiger Cubs edged out the Adamson University Baby Falcons in overtime, 73-72, on Wednesday to book their first Final Four appearance in six years.

Tiger Cub Rhayjun Baquial missed both free throws that would have given UST a three-point lead. But the Baby Falcons failed to execute even with still 8.6 seconds left in the game.

“Sa defense, konting adjustment lang. Lahat ng pinag-aralan namin bago magsimula ‘yung playoffs, from defense to offense, pumasok,” UST coach Chris Cantonjos said.

Baby Falcon Didat Hanapi’s layup brought Adamson to within one with 12 ticks on the clock.

The Tiger Cubs’ bench nudged out Adamson, 22-16 and milked 12 second chance points.

Kobe Palencia scored 15 points while Bismark Lina had a double-double of 12 markers and 12 boards for UST.

Jose Sabandal led Adamson with 20 points.

UST will face defending champions Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws in the stepladder semifinals on Feb. 17, 10 a.m., at the same venue.

Cantonjos and Baby Tamaraws head coach Allan Albano will also battle it out anew as both coaches faced each other as coaches in the women’s division.

“Hindi na bago sa akin ang FEU kasi noong sa women’s [basketball,] kalaban ko na si Allan. Medyo kilala namin ang isa’t-isa pero kailangan hindi makita ng FEU ‘yung mga gagawin naming panibago,” Cantonjos said.

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