The UST Growling Tigers faltered late against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, falling 82-78 in their FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup opener on Sunday, May 17, at the FilOil Centre.
Mark Llemit paced UST with 22 points, while Collins Akowe contributed 19 points and 16 rebounds.
After a 5-all deadlock, UST unleashed a 17-10 run to seize control of the opening quarter, 22-15.
Holding an 11-point advantage at 28-17, the Tigers saw UP respond with a 14-3 rally to knot the game at 31-all. UST, however, countered with a 14-4 burst to restore a double-digit cushion at 45-35.
Despite the Fighting Maroons closing the first half with a 7-2 run, UST still carried a five-point lead, 47-42, into the break.
The Tigers lost the advantage after UP opened the second half with an 11-2 run, putting UST behind by four, 53-49. The two teams then traded baskets before the third quarter ended in a 60-all tie.
Trailing 75-69 in the final period, Amiel Acido and Mark Llemit helped keep UST within striking distance at 79-76. A putback by Gani Stevens and a bonus free throw from Rey Remogat eventually sealed the 82-78 win for UP.
“We treated this as a game where we wanted to gauge UP, and we lost,” UST assistant coach Peter Martin told the Varsitarian.
Veejay Pre led UP with 17 points.
UST will next take on the De La Salle Green Archers on Wednesday, May 20, at the same venue.
