THE UST Growling Tigers finished second in the UAAP Season 81 3×3 men’s basketball tournament after absorbing a 19-13 defeat at the hands of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles at the Ayala Malls Feliz in Marikina City Sunday.
Ateneo sparked a 10-5 run in the 6:33 mark of the game, sealed by Angelo Kouame’s layup to keep the game out of reach.
“We came here to compete and develop our skills and I think nangyari naman ‘yon. Nakita rin namin na we have to improve our individual defense,” Tigers team captain Renzo Subido told the Varsitarian.
Kouame flirted with a double-double of 11 points and eight rebounds while Thirdy Ravena added six markers and five boards.
Soulemane Chabi Yo paced UST with eight points and eight rebounds.
In women’s play, the Growling Tigresses finished fourth after surrendering to the National University Lady Bulldogs, 5-19, in the semifinals.
With a slim 3-2 lead in the 7:36 mark, NU launched a 10-0 bomb, sealed by a Rhena Itesi putback, to put the game away for good.
“Kinukang lang kami sa depensa kasi dapat sa amin na ang rebound pero nakukuha pa nila. Naging disadvantage din namin ang second chance points kasi matatangkad ang NU pero overall, good game pa rin,” team captain Sai Larosa said.
Itesi and Jack Animam led all scorers with seven points apiece.
Larosa and Carolina Sangalang had two markers each for UST.
