THE UST Growling Tigers staved off a pesky Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 76-74, to notch their first win in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
Kenneth Zamora’s layup with 18.5 ticks left hiked UST’s spread to five, 76-71, before FEU’s Hubert Cani hit a triple with 10.5 seconds remaining.
“I always tell the team na take the shot as long as it is within the place, within the system. I always tell them to be responsible and make sure we execute our plays,” Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo said.
In the ensuing play, Tamaraw Arvin Tolentino’s trey at the buzzer rimmed out to give UST the victory.
FEU started the third quarter with a 12-5 run to tie the match at 44 via Cani’s jumper.
A 20-5 bomb midway through the second canto gave UST the lead by halftime, 39-32.
The Tigers tied the Tamaraws with a 1-1 win-loss card in the standings.
Renzo Subido led UST with 18 points while Joshua Marcos had a big game off the bench with 12 markers, 11 coming during the second frame.
Prince Orizu paced FEU with 25 points and 15 rebounds.
The Tigers will next face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sept. 16, Sunday, 4 p. m., at the Arena in San Juan.
