Playing without Nic Cabañero, the UST Growling Tigers suffered their 12th-straight defeat after faltering against the FEU Tamaraws, 77-62, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
After being down by seven points in the first half, UST opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run capped by Echo Laure’s triple to gain a one-point advantage, 43-42.
But FEU answered back with a 14-2 run of their own, 56-45, led by Patrick Sleat scored nine points in the frame.
The Tamaraws continued to bury the Tigers in the fourth quarter after Xyrus Torres and Bryan Sajonia converted three triples for FEU in the last minutes to mount a 70-53 advantage.
Cabañero, UST’s leading scorer, missed the game due to a mild ankle sprain that he sustained against the UP Fighting Maroons on Nov. 23.
Ivan Lazarte scattered 13 points for UST while Christian Manaytay and Adama Faye scored 10 points apiece.
FEU’s LJ Gonzales scored 15 points, while Sajonia scored 11 markers.
The Growling Tigers will try to cap their season with a win against the De La Salle University Green Archers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m.
