The UST Growling Tigers delivered when it mattered most to take down the NU Bulldogs, 67-64, to claim their third win in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Christian Manaytay led the charge with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists while Mo Tounkara and Nic Cabañero finished with 15 and 10 markers, respectively.

“Naging aggressive yung mga bata, yung will to win nandun, basta kami, a win is a win,” Pido Jarencio said on his team’s performance after their loss to Adamson.

NU held a slim three-point margin to start the opening quarter, but three-pointers from Amiel Acido and Kyle Paranada allowed UST to end the quarter on level terms, 16-16.

The Growling Tigers held their ground at the start of the second quarter with buckets from Gelo Crisostomo and Forthsky Padrigao giving the España-based squad a five point lead, 21-16.

NU's Spencer Lim swung the momentum heading into halftime after back-to-back long bombs and a pair of free throws from Steve Nash Enriquez gave the Bulldogs a two-point lead at halftime, 34-32.

Enriquez awakened from his slumber in the first half and went on a three-point frenzy after draining all four of his long range jumpers in the third salvo alone.

Migs Pangilinan and Tounkara came up with their own three-pointers to keep the Tigers within reach of NU, 48-52.

The Growling Tigers erased the Bulldogs’ seven-point lead, after baskets from Cabañero, Tounkara, and a crafty finish from Forthsky Padrigao gave UST a one-point lead, 61-60.

Cabañero buried a shot from downtown in the closing minutes of the game to give UST a three-point advantage, 64-61, but NU’s Jolo Manansala answered back with a three of his own to tie the game at the 64-all mark.

Padrigao landed the finishing blow for the Tigers after burying a stepback two-pointer and a free throw to seal the deal for UST, 67-64.

UST head coach Pido Jarencio commented on the team’s adjustments in the third to shut down Enriquez following his third quarter eruption.

"Malaking guard yung nilagay namin, ayun medyo na-stop namin tsaka yung mga guards namin na-challenge rin, buti nalang nung fourth quarter ‘di na sya pumutok," Jarencio said.

UST now stands in third with a 3-1 record and will be set to go head-to-head with defending champions De La Salle Green Archers on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the same venue.