THE UST Growling Tigers snapped their five-game losing streak with a stunning 73-69 win over the National University Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
Marvin Lee scored 11 of his career-high 22 points in the fourth quarter to lift the Tigers, who improved to a 3-7 record.
With the Tigers up by just seven going into the last frame, Lee buried back-to-back triples to put UST ahead, 60-47.
NU ignited a 7-0 run to keep the game close, 54-60, but Lee and Jamil Sheriff, who both scored a career-high 19 points, teamed up for UST’s own 7-0 run for a 67-54 cushion.
“Nagtrabaho yung mga bata. Gusto nilang manalo, gusto nilang dumepensa. Pinakita nilang kaya nilang [manalo],” UST head coach Boy Sablan told the Varsitarian.
Team captain Louie Vigil chalked up 20 points for the Tigers.
“Nadala na rin kami ng defense namin last game, tinuloy lang namin ngayon dinagdagan namin ng konting swerte sa opensa,” Vigil said.
The Lee-Vigil-Sheriff trio combined for all of UST’s 12 steals which led to 25 NU turnovers.
Matt Salem led the Bulldogs with 20 points while Alfred Aroga chipped in 13 points and 15 boards.
UST will go up against the undefeated De La Salle University on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2:00 pm, at the same venue.
