LEAGUE WORST UST Growling Tigers added another defeat to their record after bowing to the NU Bulldogs, 76-65, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 11.
UST was only able to hold a three-point lead in the opening minutes before NU seized control of the game all the way through.
After the Bulldogs started with a 7-0 run, the Tigers responded with four straight Nic Cabañero points to take a 13-16 advantage. Barking back, however, were the Bulldogs with another 7-0 run to end the first frame ahead, 20-16.
The Bustillos-based squad maintained its lead in the second half, 35-28, with 21 points outside of the paint led by a couple of threes from Bulldog Patrick Yu.
NU capitalized on UST’s struggle on defense, extending its lead to 15 points, 53-38, after guard JM Galinato converted a triple to finish the third salvo.
The Bulldogs clamped down Cabañero, who was only able to score seven markers before the final frame.
NU star Kean Baclaan came alive in the last 10 minutes as he scored five straight points to give his team an 18-point advantage, 64-46. UST wasn’t able to stage a comeback.
Christian Manaytay led the Tigers with 14 points, five boards and three steals. Cabañero finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but horribly shot 5-of-19 from the field.
Baclaan led the Bulldogs with 13 points and five assists. Yu scored 12 markers off four triples, four rebounds and four assists. Bulldog PJ Palacielo added 10 points and four boards.
The Growling Tigers moved to a 1-11 slate, while the Bulldogs tied with the UP Fighting Maroons for the league’s best record, 10-2.
