THE UST Growling Tigers snapped a nine-year losing streak against the DLSU Green Archers after notching a 71-66 victory against the UAAP champs in the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup Season 2 at the Enderun Colleges Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 3.
The last time the Tigers won against the Archers was in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament on Oct. 11, 2015, when they pulled off an 81-79 victory.
UST erected an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter and fended off a 23-10 run by the Archers.
The Tigers set the momentum early, closing the opening canto with a 17-11 advantage.
Two free throws by Leland Estacio gave UST its largest lead in the first half, 26-15, but the Archers cut the deficit after a 13-6 blitz to end the half, 32-28.
A 20-13 third quarter extended UST’s lead to double digits, 52-41.
Former Blue Eagle Ice Danting paced the Tigers with 19 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Ashon Andrews chipped in 13 markers.
Danting will be eligible for four playing seasons with UST beginning in Season 87 after serving his residency in Season 86 last year.
Green Archers Matthew Rubico and Jared Abadam led DLSU with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Other promising recruits joining Danting in the roster for Season 87 are former UE Red Warriors standout Kyle Paranada and UAAP Season 85 Mythical Five member and likewise former Ateneo Blue Eagle Forthsky Padrigao, both of whom did not suit up against DLSU.
