NICKSON Cabañero tallied a triple double as the Tiger Cubs trampled the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 105-71, to cap off their elimination-round games in the UAAP Season 87 junior high school (JHS) basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Cabañero became only the third player this season to produce a triple-double after grabbing 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Cabañero, Jhon Canapi (30 points, eight rebounds), and Dustin Bathan (21 points, five rebounds, and six assists) combined for 71 points, helping UST end the elimination round on a four-game winning streak.
UST captured the third seed with a 10-4 win-loss record, while pushing Ateneo out of Final Four contention, as the Blue Eagles finished with a 5-8 slate.
The Tiger Cubs will face the second-seeded FEU-D Baby Tamaraws in the Final Four.
“‘Yon talaga ‘yong plan namin dahil preparation ‘to for Final Four … malakas din talaga yong FEU. ‘Yong sinet ko sa kanila, ‘yong mindset nila na hindi maging relaxed, para naka-focus kami sa Final Four,” UST head coach Noli Mejos said postgame.
Bathan and Miguel Jubilado came out the gates firing to give UST a huge advantage after the first quarter, 33-19.
Canapi and Cabañero continued the barrage in the second quarter, combining for 21 points. UST held a 21-point lead at halftime, 62-41.
The Tiger Cubs further ballooned the advantage in the second half, leading by as much as 42 points at the start of the fourth quarter and preventing any chances of an Ateneo comeback.
“Masasabi ko lang is ‘yong mindset namin na hindi pa kami kunteto, mas gugustuhin namin na mag-champion kami kaysa Final Four contender lang,” Bathan said.
Sky Jazul and Domeng Ngo led Ateneo in the loss with 12 points apiece.
UAAP has yet to announce the schedule for the Final Four.
