LAST YEAR’S champions UST Tiger Cubs suffered their worst finish in a decade, as they wrapped up their UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball campaign with a dominant 82-24 rout of the UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym on Sunday, March 8.
Despite the lopsided finale, the Tiger Cubs placed sixth with a 5–9 record, five spots below their championship run last season and their worst showing since Season 78 in 2016.
Leading the way for UST was 6-foot-3 forward Jetlee Melano, who delivered a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double. Charles Esteban also posted a double-double, tallying 10 markers, 11 boards, to go along with four assists.
UST established control early behind baskets from Carsson Vidanes, Melano and Kyle Bandingan, closing the fast-paced opening frame with an 11-6 lead.
The Cubs widened the gap in the second quarter with a relentless scoring run while limiting UPIS to just two points in the paint, ballooning the advantage to 35-9 at halftime.
UST continued its onslaught, opening the third quarter with a 6–0 run and stretching the lead to 60-16, behind steady scoring from Melano, Vidanes and Dustin Bathan.
The Tigers maintained full control in the final period, extending the margin to a game-high 59 points, before Liam Acido’s three-pointer sealed the rout.
Joaquin Ludovice and Vidanes added six points apiece for UST.
No player scored in double-digits for UPIS. Bruce Tubongbanua had nine points and nine rebounds, while Jhustin Hallare contributed eight markers and five boards.
UST had already bowed out of title contention last week after falling to the Zobel Junior Archers, 84-80. F – Jean Chloe Apilat
