UST rookie Miguel Austria powered the Tiger Cubs with a monster double-double as they notched their first win in the UAAP Season 89 junior high school basketball tournament, overcoming the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Junior Fighting Maroons, 86-77, on Friday, Aug. 21, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The forward erupted for 28 points and 26 rebounds to lift UST to a 1-1 record, while UPIS slipped to 0-2.
The Tiger Cubs held the edge in fastbreak points, 19-15, and dominated the interior with 56 points in the paint and 30 second-chance points.
“Sumabay ‘yong small-ball lineup namin sa takbuhan,” Tiger Cubs head coach Noli Mejos told the Varsitarian. “Magaling din talaga ‘yong UP kahit na maliliit.”
Mac Macasarte chipped in 20 points for UST.
The Tiger Cubs battled back from a nine-point deficit and trailed UPIS, 45-41, at halftime.
Mascarte and Austria combined for 17 points during UST’s 26-12 third-quarter explosion, giving the Tiger Cubs a 67-57 advantage heading into the final period.
UST and UPIS traded baskets in the fourth, but the Tiger Cubs maintained control, with Austria’s jumper putting the game away at 86-77.
Poquiz led UPIS with a game-high 29 points.
The Tiger Cubs will next battle the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Adamson Gym. Charles Martin A. Manalang
