THE UST Growling Tigers escaped the LPU Pirates in a tight, 77-73 bout, in the Elite Eight of the 2026 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Rookie Landyn Jumawan led the charge for the Tigers, notching 17 points, sinking five triples, alongside four rebounds and two steals.
“It’s a long game. The first couple of shots weren’t falling, but we just stayed with it and kept on shooting,” Jumawan said postgame.
“We’re just gonna focus on us, do what we gotta do, and be ready,” he added.
UST were off to a slow start in the opening frame, trailing early at 13-5, forcing coach Pido Jarencio to reshuffle his starting lineup six minutes in.
This proved successful, as the Tigers mounted a 13-5 run led by Amiel Acido and Peter Osang, finally tying the game at 18-all, before Lyceum’s Nat Fuentes drained a buzzer-beating three, ending the quarter 21-18 to regain the Pirates’ lead.
Lyceum’s Renz Villegas caught fire in the second quarter, scoring six quick points to extend their lead to 31-25, before a Mark Llemit basket and Jumawan three cut the margin to a point, 31-30.
Both sides continued trading baskets down the stretch until the Pirates converted another last-second three-pointer, this time at the hands of Mcalude Guadaña, concluding the half at 42-37.
The España squad’s long-range shooting finally came alive in the second half from a Kirk Cañete triple, taking their first lead of the match at 52-50, unleashing three more treys and a 16-9 run to tie the game at 59-all at quarter’s end.
The Intramuros crew answered back in the final salvo, as Ken Caduyac converted a triple to retake the lead, 65-64, before Jumawan fired three consecutive three-pointers, putting UST back up top, 73-67.
Despite Villegas’ late heroics in the dying seconds, it wasn’t enough, as a clutch rebound and free throw from Acido sealed the game, 77-73.
Llemit and Gelo Crisostomo combined for 21 points and 11 rebounds to contribute in a gritty win.
Villegas, meanwhile, paced Lyceum with 19 markers, four boards, 2 assists, and a steal.
UST will look to punch its ticket to the Finals against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Final Four on Monday, Aug. 31, at the same venue. F
