23 April 2014, 3:20 p.m. – THE UST Tiger Cubs survived a third quarter meltdown and escaped the University of the Philippines (UP) Junior Maroons, 91-86, in their Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup debut at the Arena in San Juan Wednesday afternoon.
Nicole Luna led UST with 19 markers, while Miguel Jison and Vince Ferrer, younger brother of Growling Tiger Kevin Ferrer, added 13 points apiece.
In the second half, the Tiger Cubs led by as much as 12 points after Ferrer completed a three-point play to put UST ahead, 61-49, with five minutes left in the third quarter.
But the Junior Maroons unleashed a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to just four, 67-71, going into the final canto.
Both teams exchanged baskets at the start of the final frame until the UST duo of twins Nicole and Jouel Luna sparked a 9-0 rally in the dying minutes to seal the win for the Cubs.
“This is not just about a ballgame, this is about pride. Kaya kahit matapagal pa ang UAAP season, pinaghahandaan talaga namin,” said coach Allan Ascue, who lost 11 players in the roster.
Enzo Barraquias steered UP with a game-high 27 markers and nine rebounds.
The Tiger Cubs will next face the Mapua Institue of Technology on April 30, 5:45 p.m. at the same venue. Hedrix Ar-Ar C. Caballe
