The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs outlasted the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles to keep their winning streak alive, 69-59, in the UAAP Season 87 boys’ high school basketball tournament on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Wacky Ludovice was UST’s top gunner, tallying 19 points and three steals, while Koji Buenaflor and Racine Kane contributed 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 markers, 14 boards in the winning effort.

The Tiger Cubs opened with a 9-3 rally courtesy of Ludovice and Buenaflor but were countered by the Blue Eagles through a 13-5 blitz to finish the opening quarter down by five points, 14-19.

Ludovice, Kane, and Charles Bucsit ignited a 12-0 run to regain their advantage and secure a slim margin at halftime, 37-36.

Momentum swung in favor of the Tiger Cubs as they outscored Ateneo by eight in the third canto to maintain a nine-point edge, 51-42.

Blue Eagle Chris Urbina registered eight consecutive buckets built on two three-pointers and a pair of three throws to cut the lead to one with 3 minutes and 29 seconds remaining in the final salvo, 58-57.

Kane and Ludovice crunched in much-needed buckets in the two-minute mark to secure the win in the high-wire battle against Ateneo, 69-59.

“Well, siyempre mahirap yan kasi nothing to lose na yan. Tapos siyempre gustong-gusto makakuha ng panalo niyan. At the same time, Ateneo yan. May pride yan, school pride, champion team pa rin yan, kahit anong sabihin natin,” UST head coach Manu Inigo said.

“So, sabi ko nga sa boys, kahit sino kalaban, hindi pwedeng iba-iba yung mindset. Kailangan laging naka-focus kami sa goal namin. Ang goal namin is parang i-create ang every game na championship game,” he added.

The UST Tiger Cubs will try to keep their streak alive as they close out the first round against the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws on Sunday, Feb. 9, in the same venue.