The UST Growling Tigers failed to snatch their first win against the Apex Fuels-San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags (SSC-R), 88-83, in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.
The Tigers trailed by seven points in the early minutes of the fourth quarter, 61-54, when the Stags unleashed a 24-19 run to give them a 12-point cushion, 85-73.
The Tigers then answered with an insufficient 10-3 run before time expired, 88-83.
In the third salvo, the Tigers led by seven points, 50-42. SSC-R’s Rhinwil Yambing scored six out of the Stags’ 8-0 run to tie the game, 50-all.
The Stags went on a 7-0 run in the dying minutes of the third to give them a 57-50 advantage.
The first quarter saw both teams in a neck-and-neck situation, ending 20-19, in favor of UST.
Christian Manaytay contributed 16 points and seven rebounds for UST while rookie Kean Baclaan scattered 17 markers.
Yambing (19) and Camillus Altamirano (16) combined for 35 points for SSC-R.
UST will next face the CEU Scorpions on Tuesday, 11:00 a.m., at the Ynares Arena. Nicole Anne D.G. Bugauisan
