The UST Growling Tigresses shrugged off a fourth quarter run from the Adamson Lady Falcons, 78-69, to advance to the next phase of the stepladder semifinals in the UAAP Season 81 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Leading the charge for the España-based squad is season 81 MVP Grace Irebu with a huge double-double of 28 points and 20 rebounds.

Sai Larosa and Tin Capilit also contributed 17 and 13 points, respectively.

A 5-0 personal blast from Capilit sparked UST’s double-digit lead.

With four minutes left in the game, Adamson was able to cut their 20-point deficit down to two.

“I’m speechless. First of all, thank you kay Lord for another opportunity for us to play another day. Of course credit to my coaches, staff to the players, to the team—si Grace, si Sai, si Capilit— is playing all their hearts out every time we play dito sa knockout,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said.

Nathalie Prado tallied career-high 34 points to lead Adamson on a losing effort.

UST secured an all-or-nothing match against the Far Eastern University on Nov. 28, Wednesday, the winner of which will face the much-favored National University Lady Bulldogs in the finals.

Box Scores:

UST 78 — Irebu 28, Larosa 17, Capilit 13, Rivera 6, Aujero 5, Portillo 5, Ferrer 4, Tacatac 0, Magat 0, Sangalang 0, Gonzales 0.

ADU 69 — Prado 34, Alcoy 9, Camacho 9, Cacho 6, Araja 5, Tandaan 3, Bilbao 2, Aciro 1, Cabug 0, Osano 0.

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The UST Growling Tigers outplayed the University of the East Red Warriors, 79-68, in the second round eliminations of the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan Sunday.

UE had the lead in the first quarter but UST took over from the second frame onwards with Marvin Lee finishing the first half with a total of seven three-point shots.

Lee and CJ Cansino connived in the second quarter to make up for their deficit in the prior frame.

“We played well. We adjusted well under offense. It’s a good thing that before the first half ended, we were able to adjust,” Ayo explained.

Cansino tallied a triple-double of 20 points on a 5-of-8 field goal, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists despite a sprained ankle, an impressive record for a rookie.

“Masaya syempre dahil nakuha ko yung triple-double. Pero sinunod ko lang yung sistema eh. Yung sistema na sharing the ball at lahat kailangan gumana, so thankful ako sa sistema,” Cansino quipped.

In addition, Zach Huang chipped in 14 points all during the second half to go along with seven rebounds and two assists, while Lee registered a career high of 30 points.

On the UE side, Alvin Pasaol and Philip Manalang had 26 and 15 markers, respectively.

The Tigers rose to a 5-5 record to further bury UE at the bottom with 1-10.

UST will look to gain their next win against De La Salle University on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Quarter Scores:

17-19, 39-33, 59-49, 79-68

Box Scores:

UST 79 — Lee 30, Cansino 20, Huang 14, Bataller 4, Bonleon 4, Agustin 2, Caunan 2, Mahinay 2, Zamora 1, Marcos 0.

UE 68 — Pasaol 26, Manalang 15, Conner 12, Bartolome 6, Varilla 4, Strait 3, Lacap 2, Beltran 0, Cullar 0, Gallardo 0, Guion 0.

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The UST Growling Tigers fell short against the National University Bulldogs, 61-69, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan Sunday.

“As I’ve told you before, di naman kami concerned sa spot eh. We just want to compete. We take it one game at a time,” UST head coach Aldin Ayo said.

Renzo Subido had 18 points for UST, and Marvin Lee had 12 in the losing cause.

The Tigers had an early advantage over the Bulldogs, but lost it by the crucial final period.

“Defense. Pinaghandaan naman namin yan during the pre-season. Pinaghandaan naman namin yan the whole week. If you can’t play good defense down the stretch, you can’t have a good impression,” Ayo explained.

Rookie Cj Cansino did not have a good scoring game but contributed well in terms of rebound, garnering 18 boards, in the absence of UST’s big man Steve Akomo.

Bulldogs’ Dave Ildefonso made an impact scoring 16 points, while Troy Rike and John Clemente chipped in 13 and 12 markers, respectively.

UST’s next game will be on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 28, against the University of the East Red Warriors, at the same venue.

“Humihingi ako ng suporta sa buong community, especially against UE. So we’re inviting all Thomasians, students, alumni,” Ayo quipped. “Rest assured, we’re going to do our best. Ibibigay namin lahat, para ma-deserve lang namin yung panalo.”

Quarter Scores:

11-15, 32-33, 42-53, 61-69

Box Scores:

UST 61- Subido 18, Lee 12, Huang 11, Cansino 8, Mahinay 8, Caunan 4, Zamora 0, Batalier 0, Marcos 0, Agustin 0, Consejo 0.

NU 68- D. Ildefonso 16, Rike 13, Clemente 12, Gaye 10, Diputado 7, S. Ildefonso 4, Yu 3, Sinclair 2, Joson 2, Aquino 0, Galinato 0, Gallego 0, Tibayan 0.

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