THE UST Tiger Cubs came out of a forgettable pre-season, stunning reigning UAAP juniors titlist Far Eastern University, 71-65, in the season opener at the Mall of Asia Arena last June 30.
The Cubs were hanging on to a slim 64-62 edge when forward Ice Dandan sank a crucial trey that put the game away for UST with 41.1 seconds left. Dandan scored 10 of his game-high 18 points in the payoff period.
He also grabbed 15 rebounds and shot four of eight from three-point distance.
Paolo Corre and Randolf Marcelo contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for UST.
The Cubs led by as much as 15, 55-40, at the start of the fourth quarter but twins JJ and JS Domingo led an 11-0 run for the defending champions.
JJ Domingo tied Dandan’s output with 18 points, 16 in the second half.
The Cubs had to weather several runs from a depleted Baby Tamaraws’ roster, which lost 11 players, including prized stalwart Jerie Pingoy, to graduation.
The Cubs finished third last season and are fielding seven rookies to offset the loss of “triple threat” Prince Martin, Alvin Ungria and Nicko Bahia to graduation. Paul Kennedy A. Lintag
BOX SCORES:
UST 71 – Dandan 18, Corre 11, Marcelo 10, Ramirez 8, Kaman 8, Reyes 6, Mayor 6, Syyap 4, Miquiabas 0, Borje 0, Berdijo 0
FEU 65 – Domingo JJ. 18, Excoto 9, Completo 7, Lee 6, Beines 6, Ardiente 6, Domingo JS. 5, Comboy 4, Tabudlo 2, Cano 1, Aquino 1, Runbaoa 0, Paglinawan 0, Fajarito
QUARTER SCORES: 14-13, 33-25, 55-40, 71-65
