Tiger Cub Mark Llemit unleashed a career-best performance to propel UST to a 75-63 victory over the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Fighting Maroons and secure the last Final Four in the UAAP Season 85 boys’ basketball tournament at the Paco Arena on Saturday.
Llemit posted a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Tiger Cubs to their seventh win.
“Masaya kami na pasok na sa Final Four, and Adamson naman ang paghirapan namin kasi sila ang makakatapat namin,” Llemit said after the game.
The Tiger Cubs were up by 12 in the third quarter, 50-38, after pulling a 12-2 run courtesy of consecutive Llemit, JP Pangilinan, and James Jumao-as baskets.
Junior Fighting Maroon Floyd Florentino opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back triples, and Kobe Demisana’s bucket trimmed UST’s lead to six, 63-57.
But UST went on a 7-0 run to lead by 13, 70-57, and dim the Junior Maroons’ chances of a comeback.
The Tiger Cubs outscored UPIS 29-0 on points off turnovers.
They also outscored the Junior Fighting Maroons 20-2 on fastbreak points.
UST’s Pangilinan scored 17 points, while Jumao-as chalked up 11 markers.
Jonas Napalang and Demisana led UPIS with 18 points apiece.
The Tiger Cubs will next face the Adamson University Baby Falcons on Wednesday, March 1, 9 a.m., at the Fil Oil Eco Oil Centre in San Juan.
