INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- University of Santo Tomas subdued University of the Philippines, 71-63, Saturday in a battle of two teams already out of contention in the UAAP men's basketball competition at the Araneta Coliseum.

The win was a fitting send-off for six Tigers, including reigning league MVP Jervy Cruz, who finished with 21 points and 18 rebounds.

"He's very hardworking," said coach Pido Jarencio of his prized center, who led the Tigers to the crown in 2006. "He has the potential to be a great player."

The Tigers ended their campaign with a 6-8 record and Jarencio rued the spate of injuries and inconsistency that caused his team to struggle this season.

Playmaker Japs Cuan missed half of the season, while Cruz, Ababou, Mark Canlas, and Kasim Mirza nursed several injuries before the start of the season.

"We were inconsistent," said Jarencio, who will have a relatively younger line up next season with Mark Canlas, Chester Taylor, Mel Gile, Cuan, and Francis Allera all using up their playing years.

UP, this season's host, finished the season with a 3-11 record, a year after they failed to win a single game in 14 games.

The Maroons actually held a 35-33 edge at halftime before Mirza poured all his 10 points in the third to give the Tigers a 56-51 advantage heading into the final period.

The 6-foot-4 Cruz, who registered the most points, most rebounds, and best field goal percentage this season and the previous two, scored on a dunk with 2:15 left to make it 70-55, sealing the Tigers' come-from-behind victory.

"If I had it my way, I didn't want my UAAP career to end," a teary-eyed Cruz, who averaged 17.6 points and 14 rebounds in a 40-game collegiate career, told reporters after the game.

The Scores:

UST 71 -- Cruz 21, Ababou 19, Mirza 10, Allera 8, Camus 3, Gile 3, Cuan 3, Taylor, Canlas 2, Bautista 0, Fortuna 0, Vargas 0, Fenequito 0.

UP 63 -- Agbayani 20, Reyes 14, Astorga 8, De Asis 5, Sison 4, Lopez 4, Pajela 2, Gamboa 2, Co 2, Hipolito 2, Marfori 0, dela Victoria 0, Maniego 0, Braganza 0, Sorongon 0.

Quarters: 17-19, 33-35, 56-51, 71-63.