The UST Growling Tigers suffered their 11th-straight loss after faltering against defending champions UP Fighting Maroons, 78-60, in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Holding a slim two-point lead at the end of the first half, the Fighting Maroons used a 41- 26 second half to put the Tigers, who have become known for second-half struggles this season, away.
With UP up by three midway through the third quarter, JD Cagulangan and Cyril Gonzales fueled a Fighting Maroons run that ballooned their lead to 10, 59-49.
The Fighting Maroons started the fourth period with 11 straight points to mount a 70-49 lead that the Tigers would not be able to surmount.
Nic Cabañero paced UST with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Adama Faye had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Carl Tamayo led UP with 19 points and nine rebounds
The Tigers will next face the FEU Tamaraws on Saturday, 1 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
