The UST Tiger Cubs secured the silver medal, marking their best finish in UAAP 3×3 history, at the conclusion of the Season 86 boys’ 3×3 basketball tournament at Ayala Malls Manila Bay on Sunday, May 5.
UST ended the tournament in second place with a 6-1 record. In the finals, the Tiger Cubs bowed down to the reigning champions FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, 17-15.
FEU completed a season sweep of the 3×3 tournament, securing its second consecutive title.
During the match, UST guard JB Lim and Baby Tamaraws standout Veejay Pre exchanged blows early on, with Lim’s two-pointer tying the score at 9-9.
FEU was able to extend its lead to three following a free throw by Jedric Daa and an inside hit by Pre with two minutes left, 15-12.
Despite late layups by Lim and a midrange jumper by Carl Manding, UST’s efforts were in vain as the Baby Tamaraws successfully defended their 3×3 title and completed a season sweep, winning 17-15.
In the knockout semifinals, the Tiger Cubs survived the Adamson Baby Falcons to book their Finals ticket, 18-17.
After a Mark Esperanza layup put Adamson up by one, 16-15, Lim answered with an and-one layup and a short stab to give the Tiger Cubs a two-point lead with less than 20 seconds left, 18-16
Adamson tried to mount a comeback with a freebie by Zahir Sahili that trimmed UST’s lead to one, but Esperanza missed the potential game-winner at the buzzer.
