June 15, 2015, 12:41 p.m. – THE UST Growling Tigers banked on a late run to surge past the San Beda College Red Lions, 75-72, and enter the finals of the 21st Fr. Martin Cup at the Arellano University Gym Monday.
Down by nine in the third period, the Tigers unleashed a barrage of 3-pointers led by Kent Lao to go ahead, 70-66, with less than two minutes left.
A three-point play by Ed Daquioag sealed the win for UST.
Lao, who buried three triples in UST’s fourth-quarter rally, led the Tigers with 22 points. Daquioag and Louie Vigil added 16 apiece.
“Nung first half, mabagal ‘yung pace,” head coach Bong dela Cruz said. “Sabi ko sa veterans ko na dapat mag-step up sila sa winning time, luckily nag-deliver naman sila.”
The Tigers will face the winner of the Jose Rizal University-University of the East matchup on Wednesday, June 17, at the same venue.
UST lost last year’s Fr. Martin Cup to former coach Aric del Rosario and his Perpetual Help System Altas. John Chester P. Fajardo with reports from Josiah Darren G. Saynes
