THE UST Tiger Cubs lost a 76-73 nailbiter against the UE Junior Red Warriors in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 boys’ basketball tournament on Sunday, Jan. 21, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
With UST up by one in the fourth quarter, 73-72, John Alejandro delivered a go-ahead baseline jumper that gave UE a 74-73 advantage with under a minute left to play.
Andrei Dungo sank a teardrop that would have given UST a 75-74 advantage, but was called for an offensive foul.
“Para sa amin, bad call kasi naka-side yung defender e ‘di naman naka-straight up. Normally blocking (foul) ‘yon,” UST assistant coach Onel Balinton told the Varsitarian. “Pero again, nagkaroon tayo ng chance (bumawi) sa huli, siguro ‘yung game is para sa UE talaga.”
UST had a chance to take the lead, but JB Lim missed an open three-pointer with 5.8 seconds left in regulation.
Junior Red Warrior Joaquim de Leon completed his charities off a must-give foul by UST in the following play, 76-73.
With UST down by three, Wacky Ludovice had the opportunity to send the game to overtime but missed the contested three-pointer at the buzzer.
Both teams went neck and neck in the second half after UST recovered from an 11-3 UE run coming into the third salvo, 48-47.
UE eked out a three-point lead at halftime, 36-33.
Despite committing more turnovers, 25-15, the Junior Red Warriors outrebounded the Tiger Cubs, 60-40, giving room for 17 second-chance points against UST’s 12.
Kristoper Lagat led UE in scoring with 22 points, while Alejandro posted a double-double of 18 points and 22 rebounds.
Dungo paced the Tiger Cubs with 20 markers, five rebounds and three steals, while Manding chimed in 18 points and six rebounds.
UST is now tied with FEU at the third spot with identical 7-5 win-loss records, while UE improved to a 5-7 tally with two games left to play.
The Adamson Baby Falcons (11-1) and NU Bullpups (10-2), both semifinals-bound, remained in first and second places, respectively.
The Tiger Cubs will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the same venue on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m.
