The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs outlasted the National University Nazareth School Bullpups, 89-85, in a breathtaking Game 2 Finals of the UAAP Season 87 boys’ basketball tournament on Thursday, March 20, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Koji Buenaflor stepped up for UST with 24 points and four rebounds, while Charles Esteban tallied 16 points and three rebounds to help the Tiger Cubs seal the win.

Kirk Cañete and Carl Manding also had solid outings, logging in 13 and 15 markers, respectively in the winning effort.

Racine Kane was only limited to five points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal after foul trouble only saw him play 12 minutes throughout the game.

A three-pointer from Manding and a pair of free throws made by Buenaflor helped UST establish their footing in the first quarter, 22-17.

The Tiger Cubs unleashed a 14-6 blitz in the second quarter ignited by Liam Acido, Buenaflor, Cañete, and Esteban, 36-23.

Charles Bucsit registered two free throws to secure a 12-point advantage for UST at halftime, 48-36.

The boys from España remained locked in to start the third salvo as Buenaflor’s 10 points in the quarter kept them up by 11-points, 72-61.

NUNS charged back in the final canto with a 16-6 rally sparked by Collins Akowe, Mot Matias, and Migs Palanca to simmer the lead down by 1, 78-77.

Esteban and Manding responded in the waning moments of the ball game by drilling in three consecutive three-pointers to pad their lead back to 10, 87-77.

Chad Cartel and Mac Alfanta’s clutch triples kept NUNS’ hopes alive as they cut down the lead to two, 87-85.

Buenaflor converted two free throws in the final seconds of the game to seal the win for UST despite the Bullpups’ late surge, 89-85.

“Nagbunga itong performance ko dahil inembrace ko yung role ko sa team. As a team captain, dapat ako talaga yung mag- step up diyan kasi ako yung pinaka senior. Ginawa ko lang yung sinasabi nila coach at binigyan nila ako ng kumpiyansa na kahit ilang beses ka sumablay, itira ko lang daw,” Buenaflor said.

“Credits sa boys, nakita naman na hindi sila nag- panic kahit dumikit, they stayed composed. Nagtiwala sila sa isa’t isa, they played defense well nung huli, talagang trinabaho nila para mabuhay pa yung championship aspirations namin,” Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Iñigo said.

The do-or-die finale is scheduled on Thursday, March 27, at the same venue.