Nov. 22 2016, 8:21 p.m. – THE UST Tiger Cubs notched their first win in the UAAP Season 79 juniors’ basketball tournament with a 69-67 victory over the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Trailing by 10 with a little under three minutes left in the game, the Junior Maroons made a 10-3 run to close the gap, 65-68. UST’s Crispin Cansino split his free throws to seal the win.
Miguel Ratuiste scattered 21 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three blocks for the Tiger Cubs. Crispin Cansino chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga players ko, ‘A win is a win.’ Kahit two points lang, na-enjoy nila ‘yung panalo. Kailangan namin ito [panalo] as morale booster,” UST head coach Chris Cantonjos told the Varsitarian.
After John Gregorio’s 3-pointer cut UP’s deficit to four in the third quarter, UST uncorked a 15-4 run heading into the final canto.
Juan Gomez de Liaño led the Junior Maroons with 20 points and eight rebounds.
Now with a 1-3 slate, the Tiger Cubs will face defending champions National University Bullpups on Saturday, Nov. 26, 3 p.m., at the same venue. Ralph Edwin U. Villanueva
