MANILA, Philippines – The UST Tiger Cubs stayed in the hunt of ending a 24-year UAAP title drought.
UST dragged the NU Bullpups to a sudden death in the Season 87 boys’ basketball finals after scoring a nail-biting 89-85 win in Game 2 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Thursday, March 20.
Carl Manding delivered when the Tiger Cubs needed him the most, sinking 3 of his 5 three-pointers in the fourth quarter as UST survived the Bullpups’ comeback to knot the best-of-three championship series at 1-1.
Buried as deep as 15 points, NU clawed its way back and got within 77-78 with 5:20 minutes left before Manding, who finished with 15 points, ignited the Tiger Cubs’ closing run.
Manding knocked down back-to-back triples then Charles Esteban added a trey of his own as UST restored a double-digit lead at 87-77.
The Bullpups rallied once more and rattled off 8 answered points to trim its deficit to 85-87 with 20 seconds to play, but Koji Buenaflor coolly sank a pair of free throws to seal the Tiger Cubs’ win.
“Our coaches told me to trust my shot, that I can do it,” said Manding, who scored just 3 points in the first half before he hit his stride, in Filipino.
“We know that we’re chasing history. Our hard work for the entire season is paying off.”
Buenaflor churned out 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists to pace UST, which is a win away from capturing its first boys’ basketball crown since it ruled in Season 64 in 2001.
Esteban chimed in 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Kirk Canete tallied 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists as the Tiger Cubs’ leaned on their improved three-point shooting.
UST buried 14 of its 37 three-point attempts, with 5 coming in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Newly crowned Best Foreign Student-Athlete Collins Akowe frolicked inside the paint with 28 points, 26 rebounds, and 3 blocks, but his herculean effort went to waste as the Bullpups fell short of a series sweep.
Mac Alfanta backstopped Akowe in the loss with 17 points and 5 rebounds, but he committed 8 turnovers, with NU recording more turnovers (19) than assists (17).
Game 3 is scheduled at 12 pm on Thursday, March 27, at the same venue.
The Scores
UST 89 – Buenaflor 24, Esteban 16, Manding 15, Cañete 13, Bucsit 9, Kane 5, Acido 3, Ludovice 2, Solon 1, Javier 1, Vidanes 0.
NU 85 – Akowe 28, Alfanta 17, Palanca 15, Matias 7, Cartel 6, Locsin 4, Pillado 3, Napa 3, Nepacena 2, Solomon 0, Usop 0, Figueroa 0, Natinga 0.
Quarters: 22-17, 48-36, 72-61, 89-85.
– Rappler.com