The UST Growling Tigers capped their forgettable season with a 1-13 win-loss record after bowing down to the De La Salle Green Archers, 77-72, in their final UAAP Season 85 game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
UST mounted a nine-point lead early in the fourth quarter after Royce Mantua and Nic Cabañero converted three triples, 69-60.
But the Green Archers pulled an 11-0 run with three minutes remaining to turn things around and take the lead, 71-69.
The Tigers were limited to only one field goal in the last 8:55 of the game. The Archers went on a game-winning 17-3 run in the fourth quarter to keep their Final Four hopes alive.
“Madami akong dapat pag-aralan kasi iba iba ang character ng mga bata. Dapat mag-adjust ako sakanila, hindi sila ‘yung mag-adjust,” UST head coach Bal David said after the game.
In his first year with UST, David matched Boy Sablan’s record in Season 80. Sablan was sacked after that season.
Royce Mantua led UST with 17 points, while Nic Cabañero scored 16 markers.
DLSU Evan Nelle scattered 25 points, while Raven Cortez scored 13 points.
The Tigers’ only win in the tournament was in their season opener against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Oct. 1.
