AFTER GOING unbeaten in the eliminations, the UST Tiger Cubs settled for silver as they fell flat against the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws, 21-17, in the UAAP Season 88 boys’ 3×3 basketball finals on Sunday, May 3, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
It marked the Tiger Cubs’ first podium finish since Season 86, when they also settled for silver after a finals loss to the Baby Tamaraws.
“During the eliminations, we felt like we were the ones dictating the momentum, but now, it felt like they just got ahead of us,” graduating guard Kirk Cañete told The Flame after chipping in three points and three boards.
“We lost our presence of mind to call a timeout and felt like our rotation got messed up, but we still did our best nonetheless,” he added.
UST had an early 6-5 edge courtesy of Melano’s inside shot, but FEU-D took control with a Kenneth Cagurungan triple, 9-7.
Melano’s layup gave UST the momentum, tying the match at 14-14. However, Marc Burgos’ layup sustained the pace for FEU-D, as he closed the match off from Cabs Cabonillas’ assist.
Burgos, who took home MVP honors, led the Baby Tamaraws with 10 points and six rebounds.
Jhon Lee Melano scored seven points for the Cubs, while Joaqi Ludovice added four.
Earlier in the day, the Cubs edged the NUNS Bullpups in the semifinals, 21-18.
Ludovice and Canete had eight points apiece, while Melano chalked up three markers and seven boards.
In the girls’ division, the UST Junior Tigresses failed to defend their crown after suffering a 20-13 loss to the NUNS Lady Bullpups.
Janice Oczon and Lea Pineula combined for eight points for the Junior Tigresses, with the former grabbing seven rebounds.
Both teams have fired off tirades of shots, which led to a 13-all tie after over five minutes of the ball game.
But NUNS regained momentum off of Ruiza Olmos’ free throw, sealing her team’s gold finish.
Girls’ division MVP Olmos led NUNS with 10 markers, while Zayden Rosano delivered five points and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Tiger Cubs 16U team exited the tournament with an elimination-round record of 3-4 after bowing out to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 21-19, last Saturday, May 2. F – Michael Luke Ezekiel Bechaida
