THE UST Tiger Cubs bolstered their Final Four chances after zooming past the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Bullpups, 80-70, in the UAAP Season 87 junior high school (JHS) basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
With the home win, the Tiger Cubs secured a tighter hold on third place with an improved 6-4 win-loss record. NUNS fell to a 5-6 slate for fourth place.
“Homecourt advantage naman talaga. Pero talagang nag-respond sila sa mga inensayo naming preparations, lahat ng ginawa namin,” UST head coach Noli Mejos said postgame. “Nag-adjust kami lahat kasi last game nga one point lang ‘yong tinalo namin sa kanila.”
UST got off to a rousing start with Andwele Cabañero and Miguel Jubilado combining for 17 points in the opening frame to outscore the Bullpups, 21-14.
Dustin Bathan then led a 16-10 run, extending the Tiger Cubs’ lead midway through the second frame, 37-24.
However, NUNS responded with a 15-2 blast to cut the lead to one going into halftime, 39-38.
With the Tiger Cubs ahead 43-42, Jhon Canapi drained a triple that sparked a 17-7 run, allowing UST to break away and claim the third quarter, 60-49.
The Bullpups tried to chase UST’s lead in the payoff period but failed, allowing the Tiger Cubs to remain unbeaten in their home court.
Canapi paced the Tiger Cubs with 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while his backcourt partners Cabañero and Bathan tallied 20 and 15 markers, respectively.
Jubilado rounded out UST’s double-digit scorers, contributing 16 points and five rebounds.
“Masarap sa feeling kasi hindi lang ako ‘yong umi-score. Dati tatlo lang kami nila Bathan, ngayon dumagdag na si Jubilado.” Canapi said. “Masaya kasi nakakapag-commit din ‘yong mga teammate ko ng mga score, tsaka ‘yong bigs namin dumidepensa sa ilalim.”
Nick Pena led NUNS with 20 markers and six rebounds, while Chester Tulabut flirted with a triple-double after posting 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
The UST Tiger Cubs will continue their Final Four chase against the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m.
