The UST Growling Tigers became the first team to be ousted from Final Four contention in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament after the Ateneo Blue Eagles handed them their 10th loss in 11 games, 67-59, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
UST’s elimination was all but official until today. What was initially anticipated as a comeback season ultimately proved to be one to forget, with the Tigers experiencing several embarrassing losses in their Season 86 campaign.
However, the Tigers did not go out without a fight. Trailing by 14 points at halftime, the Tigers went on a 14-7 third quarter to narrow the gap with Ateneo.
Ateneo regained a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers went on a 13-4 run to trim the lead to five, 61-56.
Just as the Tigers were finding life, Ateneo rookie Mason Amos drilled the dagger, a three-pointer with 1:26 left in the game, to give the Blue Eagles an eight-point lead, 64-56.
Nic Cabañero and Miguel Pangilinan led UST with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Christian Manaytay, who has been one of the few bright spots in the Tigers’ season, secured 10 rebounds but finished the game with a season-low of two points.
Kai Ballungay led Ateneo with 15 points.
The Tigers struggled with ball control, committing 19 turnovers which resulted in 23 points for Ateneo.
This marks the third consecutive season the Tigers have been eliminated from Final Four contention, following a Cinderella run in Season 82 that took them all the way to the Finals.
However, the Tigers’ season still has more to come. They have upcoming matches against two of this season’s strongest teams, the NU Bulldogs and the UP Fighting Maroons, followed by their season-ending game against the FEU Tamaraws, whom they defeated for their only win of the season.
