THE UST Tiger Cubs opened their UAAP Season 88 boys basketball tournament title defense with a narrow 82-78 loss to the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws on Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.
FEU-D leaned on its second unit to fend off last season’s Final Four opponents, outscoring UST’s bench 37-12, en route to the win.
The contest opened with a nip-and-tuck first quarter, capped by a jumper from Prince Cariño that gave the Baby Tamaraws a slim 17-16 edge.
UST struggled to find its rhythm in the second frame, as baskets from Khean Esperanza and Cabs Cabonillas fueled a 13-1 blitz that stretched the lead to 30-17.
The Tiger Cubs stayed within striking distance by converting from the free-throw line, trimming the deficit to a single digit, 36-44, entering halftime.
The españa-squad kept the game close in the third quarter, with triples from Joaqui Ludovice and Kirk Cañete keeping UST within five heading into the final period, 57-62.
Momentum swung early in the fourth as back-to-back three-pointers from Cañete and Jhon Melano pushed the Tiger Cubs ahead, 70-66.
However, a timely layup from Mark Burgos, and a forced UST turnover in the dying minutes, sealed the victory for the Baby Tamaraws, 82-78
Cabonillas led FEU-D with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Esperanza chipped in 13 markers.
Foreign student-athlete (FSA) Ola Ajani paced UST with a double double of 21 points and 14 boards in the losing effort.
The Tiger Cubs will look to bounce back and secure their first win when they face the UE Junior Warriors on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the Playtime Filoil Centre. F
