THE UST Tiger Cubs lost their steam in the dying minutes of their championship bout, bowing to three-peat champs Fil-Am Nation Select Los Angeles, 85-75, in the Smart NBTC National Finals, on Sunday, March 29, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The España squad’s struggles continue this season following a disappointing UAAP Season 88 campaign, where they slipped to sixth place and failed to defend last year’s title.
Johnlee Melano led all scorers with 25 points, 16 coming from the first half, along with 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Charles Esteban added 18 markers and grabbing 10 boards.
Meanwhile, the Fil-Am team, composed of standouts from across the United States, secured its third consecutive NBTC title.
UST found itself down early but ignited an 8-0 run behind a five-point burst from Melano and a tough fadeaway three by Joaqui Ludovice to seize a 9-7 lead. Fil-Am’s Blaze Johnson responded with a three-pointer to reclaim the advantage, 10-9.
The two teams traded baskets late in the opening quarter, with Sebastian Margate converting in the final seconds, to give the Fil-Ams a slim 20-18 edge.
The second period mirrored the first, as neither side gained a clear lead. A deep triple from Texas-born Trey Pinkard pushed the Fil-Ams ahead 34-32, before UST answered through a Charles Esteban and a coast-to-coast finish from Melano. The Tiger Cubs entered halftime with a narrow 36-34 lead.
UST carried its momentum into the third, unleashing an 11-3 run, seven coming from Ludovice, to stretch the lead to 47-39.
However, Fil-Am Nation Select responded with a surge of its own behind Quali Giran and Daniel Johnson to stay within striking distance.
After Ludovice’s steal and layup, Pinkard drilled a buzzer-beating three to cap the quarter, trimming UST’s lead to 61-60.
The Tiger Cubs opened the final quarter with another 11-3 blitz, highlighted by back-to-back triples from Melano and Esteban, to create an 8-point cushion, 71-63.
But the Fil-Am’s clamped down defensively and answered with a decisive 12-4 run.
A costly turnover by UST paved the way for Blaze Johnson’s game-tying layup, forcing overtime at 75-all.
UST went cold in the extra period, failing to score as Fil-Am Nation Select took full control. Elias Gish punctuated the victory with a dagger three-pointer, sealing the 85-75 win.
Ludovice added 12 points to UST’s tally, while Simon Pulongbarit contributed 11 markers of his own. Despite the loss, Melano and Ludovice were inducted into the tournament’s Mythical Five for their outstanding performance.
Eventual Most Outstanding Player awardee Blaze Johnson led the Fil-Am victory with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists, while the youngster Giran provided 23 markers, 5 boards, and 5 assists.
Earlier in the day, the UST boys 16U team salvaged pride by capturing the title in their division, routing Fil-Am Nation Select, 84-63, at the same venue. F
