The UST Growling Tigers on Monday squeaked past the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers in their 2022 Filoil Preseason Cup debut at the Filoil EcoOil Center, 86-78, to win their first 5×5 game since April 12.
The Tigers, who won the UAAP Season 84 3×3 basketball tournament championship on June 3, picked up their first 5×5 victory after 10 straight defeats in the UAAP and the ongoing PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
The score was tied, 63-all, in the opening moments of the payoff period when the Tigers launched a 10-3 run to establish a 73-66 advantage.
The Tigers outscored the Heavy Bombers the rest of the way, 13-12, to hang on for the victory.
Sherwin Concepcion and Bryan Santos led the scoring for the Tigers with efficient 20-point outings. Concepcion drilled six triples and converted seven of his 14 field-goal attempts, while Santos made seven of his 10 shots including five threes.
JRU’s Ryan dela Rosa spearheaded the Heavy Bombers with 17 points, while Jason Celis scattered 13.
As a team, UST shot 45 percent from the field (33 of 72) and 46 percent from three (14 of 30).
UST will next face the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates on August 3, 9 a.m., in the same venue.
