THE UST Growling Tigers crumbled late and yielded to the league-leading Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 71-79, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
The Tigers fell to a 1-2 win-loss slate while Adamson remain unscathed in three outings.
“We played like rookies (in the fourth quarter), our inexperience manifested especially in the crucial stretch,” Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo said.
Falcon Jerom Lastimosa’s buzzer-beating mid-range jumper with 49.8 ticks left in the fourth frame proved to be the dagger, 76-69.
Up by just one at the start of the payoff period, Adamson uncorked an 11-4 run to extend the lead to seven via Jerrick Ahanmisi’s jumper, 72-65.
The Falcons scored 29 points off UST’s 27 turnovers.
Ahanmisi led Adamson with 20 points while Vince Magbuhos chipped in 15 markers.
CJ Cansino paced UST with 18 points and five rebounds while Marvin Lee added 16 markers.
Embons Bonleon did not suit up for the Tigers due to a calf injury and is expected to be back on their next game.
The Tigers will try to bounce back against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Sept. 29, Saturday, 4 p.m., at the Arena in San Juan.
