THE UST Growling Tigers halted a three-game losing streak after escaping the FEU Tamaraws, 86-85, securing their first win of the second round of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Nov. 8, Sunday, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Amiel Acido led UST with a 23-point performance, while Landyn Jumawan and Mark Llemit with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
The Tigers struggled to claim the lead in the opening canto as Tamaraw Jorick Bautista’s jumper handed FEU a five-point lead, 19-24.
Jumawan set the tone for the Tigers with a three-pointer as the Tigers finally found their tempo midway through the second quarter, 28-26.
Jedrick Daa salvaged FEU’s lost momentum with a three-pointer to adjourn the first half with a two-point lead, 43-45.
The España-based squad erupted in quarter three coming off six treys from Cañete, Jumawan, Acido and Chio, 69-63.
UST held off in the last quarter against FEU’s efforts to catch up as Acido drilled back-to-back treys with a minute remaining, 86-82.
Bautista made a buzzer-beater trey in a final effort for the Tamaraws but was enough for UST to claim their fifth victory, 86-85.
Bautista took charge of the Tamaraws with 27 points while Cabs Cabonilas and Kirby Mongcopa followed with 14 markers each.
UST looks to continue their Final Four push against the UE Red Warriors on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the same venue. F
