Renzo Subido scored a career-high 26 points and University of Santo Tomas held off University of the East, 88-87, for its first win in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST improved to 1-1 after its disappointing opening loss to Ateneo on Sunday, while UE slipped to 0-2.
After falling 47-39 in the first half, the Growling Tigers showed their stripes and outscored the Red Warriors, 30-17, in the third to take a 69-64 lead.
“God is good,” exclaimed UST head coach Boy Sablan the moment he sat for the post-game press conference. “Kahit nagkaproblema sa huli, may questionable calls sa huli, naka-survive UST.”
UST captain Louie Vigil turned the ball over twice in back-to-back fashion in the final two minutes allowing UE guard Bonbon Batiller to cut the lead to 86-84 from the charity stripe.
Emil Palma had the chance to tie the game from the line, but he missed the second one as the Growling Tigers clung on to an 86-85 buffer.
“Kita niyo naman hanggang dulo lumaban, kahit papaano nasa dulo nandoon kami,” said Sablan.
Subido ignited UST’s offense to start the fourth as he capped off the Growling Tigers’ 9-2 run with consecutive triples for the 78-66 lead. Jon Sheriff added 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Batiller had a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double to lead the Red Warriors while Nick Abanto added 15 points and eight rebounds, seven coming off the offensive glass.