Tiger Cubs, Blue Eagles triumph

MANILA – The University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo de Manila University survived their respective rivals to share second place in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday.

Nickson Cabañero and Jhon Canapi finished with 22 points each as the Tiger Cubs escaped with an 84-83 win over the defending champion National University Nazareth School Bullpups.

After trailing 54-71 at the end of the third quarter, NU rallied to trim the gap to 75-78 on Josh Vitug's free throws, with five minutes to go.

Back-to-back baskets by Canapi and Dustin Bathan gave the Tiger Cubs an 84-77 lead, 2 minutes and 17 seconds remaining, but the Bullpups fought back behind Chester Tulabot, Yujin Peña, and Zui Urea to close in at 83-84, 27 ticks left.

After Cabañero missed two free throws with just two seconds remaining, Tulabut failed to score on a layup as time expired.

"All teams are adjusting. The first three games, everyone struggled because they're guessing. They don't know who the opponent is, how strong – we're also adjusting the rotation. NU got stronger because of their rotation. All are adjusting because maybe they have seen their opponents," UST coach Noli Mejos said.

Tulabut delivered 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals for NU, which fell to 1-3.

David Sabareza chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds, Vitug had 13 points and 10 rebounds while Peña made 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Ateneo survived Adamson University, 79-73.

Sky Jazul scored 19 points, while Zane Kallos contributed 18 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals for the Blue Eagles, who were enjoying a 77-56 advantage going in the final six minutes before the Baby Falcons threatened with a 17-2 run.

"We have to have composure, especially in the endgame. We should be able to close out games which we know is already over. We have to learn that," Blue Eagles coach Reggie Aromin said.

"The team is still young. We're still growing. We're still learning. This is part of the growing pains. There are times we think it's okay and then something strange happens. That's one of the things we have to learn also."

Keefe Iledan paced Adamson (0-4) with 17 points and six rebounds followed by Craig Fongton with 15 points and 20 rebounds. (PNA)