The UST Growling Tigers fended off a gutsy rally from the UE Red Warriors, 76-67, to move closer to a Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Araneta Coliseum.

UST improved to a 6-7 record as they move into their last match of the regular season and ultimately, the Final Four.

“This game is important kaya yung mga players makikita mo yung agressiveness and desire ng players at nagkaroon [sila] ng pride sa game,” UST head coach Pido Jarencio said.

Nic Cabañero delivered when it mattered most, notching a season-high of 27 points, and eight rebounds while Gelo Crisostomo and Christian Manaytay mustered up 14 and 10 points respectively in the winning effort.

Another shifty start from Tounkara allowed the España-based squad to pull away in the opening minutes of the game, 7-2.

Combined efforts from Manaytay, Cabañero, Tounkara, and Ice Danting fueled a 14-6 run for UST as they finished the quarter up by 11, 22-11.

Tounkara temporarily exited the ball game after a hit from Precious Momowei, which caused a bleeding in his nose.

Cabañero went on an offensive frenzy in the second salvo producing 15 of his 27 points in the quarter alone to let the Tigers’ lead balloon to 20 coming into halftime, 48-28.

Jack Cruz-Dumont, Wello Lingolingo and Rainer Maga cashed in three long bombs in the third canto as the Red Warriors tried to rally back in the match, 56-42.

Maga opened up the final salvo with a three-pointer while Crisostomo responded with a pair of charity shots and a tough bucket under the paint as UST continued to lead, 64-48.

Tensions threatened to boil between the two sides as Momowei got ejected after receiving a second technical foul for unintentionally swiping Crisostomo in the five minute and 13 second mark, triggering another bloodied incident.

Cruz-Dumont took advantage of the tenacious atmosphere as he converted a pull-up jumper and a shot from beyond the arc to cut the UST lead down to 15, 69-54.

An and-one play from Cabañero, followed by his free throws on top of Manaytay’s charities secured UST’s much-needed win, 76-67.

“Stay ready lang kami. Alam naman ng coaches ginagawa nila. Gawin lang namin best namin iisipin namin na every game counts,” Cabañero further added when asked about their preparedness in the upcoming games.

Cruz-Dumont commanded the Red Warriors in battle with 19 points, two rebounds, and two assists while Lingolingo and Fikes combined for 25 points in the losing effort.

The Growling Tigers will need to close out their second round with a win over the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.