UST MAULS UPIS BY 67, STRENGTHENS GRIP ON THIRD

By: Joaquin Cortez

The Strong Group-powered UST Tiger Cubs demolished the UP Fighting Maroons, 121-54, in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, November 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After routing UP by 53 points in their season opener, UST shattered that mark with a 67-point blowout to improve to 7-3, good for third place in the standings. Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons fell to 1-9.

CJ Tabbuga led the Tiger Cubs with a game-high 22 points, nine rebounds, and four steals, while Rowie Cabañero tallied a double-double of 20 points and 11 assists, along with five rebounds.

Cabañero came out firing in the first quarter, dropping 11 early points to give UST a 29-12 lead after the opening frame.

The Tiger Cubs kept their foot on the gas, unleashing a 17-9 run capped by Dave Regala’s triple to push their advantage to 49-21 midway through the second quarter.

An and-one conversion from Tabbuga extended UST’s lead to 39 at halftime, 65-26.

The onslaught continued in the second half, as UST opened the third quarter with a 13-2 run capped by another Tabbuga three-pointer to stretch the lead to 50, 78-28.

UP’s John Addatu converted a layup to trim the deficit to 49, but the Tiger Cubs quickly reasserted control, entering the final period with a 95-36 advantage.

UST breached the century mark on Tabbuga’s layup with 7:20 left in the fourth quarter. Nate Bathan’s and-one play later gave the Tiger Cubs their biggest lead of the game at 70 points, 121-51, with a minute remaining.

UST also outscored UP in the final frame, 26-21, to complete the blowout victory.

The Tiger Cubs showcased their depth, overwhelming the rebuilding Maroons in bench scoring, 49-3. They also dominated the glass, 24-11, and converted 28 second-chance points off offensive rebounds.

Looking ahead to their matchup against the second-seeded FEU-D Baby Tamaraws on Sunday, November 9, at the Araneta Coliseum, UST head coach Noli Mejos emphasized the importance of staying focused down the stretch.

“Prepare pa rin kami on our next game kasi medyo mabigat ang FEU,” Mejos said. “Kailangan namin i-panalo sila and kunin ‘yong positioning nila.”

Regala added a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Gab Castro chipped in 13 points and Miguel Jubilado finished with 11 markers in the win.