After a 15-year wait, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs have clinched a spot in the UAAP High School Boys’ Basketball Finals, their first appearance since Season 73 in 2010.
The No. 2 seed Tiger Cubs defeated the No. 3 seed Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, 75-63, in their Final Four clash, held Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
This victory sets up a highly anticipated championship series against the top-seeded National University Nazareth School Bullpups, who advanced by narrowly defeating the defending champion Adamson Baby Falcons, 64-62.
The last time the Tiger Cubs reached the finals, a squad led by Kevin Ferrer fell to Kiefer Ravena and Ateneo in a three-game series.
The España-based program last won a title in 2001.
UST and NUNS will tip off their best-of-three title series on Thursday at 12 noon at the same San Juan venue.
Coincidentally, the Junior Growling Tigresses and the Lady Bullpups will also battle for the girls’ basketball crown which tips off earlier in the day at 10 a.m.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, balewala na kung sino man nanalo nu’ng first at second round. Tapos na ‘yun,” said second-year Tiger Cubs’ head coach Manu Iñigo, as the two teams split their elimination round meetings. “We have to start back from scratch. Mas magiging ready pa kami kasi alam namin na hindi papayag ‘yung NU na ganun lang lalaruin nila like nu’ng last time. Mag-aadjust ‘yan, at kami rin titignan din namin yung mga dapat i-adjust pa.”
UST wasted no time asserting dominance over FEU-D, racing to a 23-11 start behind Koji Buenaflor and Wacky Ludovice, who combined for 15 points in the opening frame.
Ludovice, a former San Beda Red Cub, led the charge with 16 points, including three triples, along with four rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Buenaflor added 15 points and seven boards.
The Tiger Cubs remained relentless, extending their lead to as much as 19 points, 58-39, after a Kirk Cañete three-pointer early in the third quarter.
UST protected its advantage until the final buzzer, anchored by the presence of Senegalese forward Racine Kane in the paint.
“Thank you kay God sa panalo. Tri-nabaho talaga ng boys. Kitang-kita naman na kahit sino ang pasok namin kanina, nagpapakita. Talagang gustong manalo ng boys,” said Inigo. “Kahit nu’ng practices namin, ramdam na namin. Sana matuloy.”
Charles Bucit also contributed 15 points, drilling three triples, while Kane posted an 11-point, 15-rebound double-double with five assists, four steals, and a block. Cañete chipped in 10 points, also sinking three triples.
Heading into the finals, UST carries confidence, having defeated NUNS convincingly, 76-56, in their second-round encounter last March 9.
“Malaking bagay ito sa amin na maganda ‘yung momentum namin. ‘Yung confidence din ng boys mataas. Right timing talaga,” Inigo said. “Sabi ko nga, ituloy lang nila ‘yung mindset at enjoy lang namin ‘yung laro.”
On the other side, FEU-D settled for the bronze, with Marc Burgos and Cabs Cabonillas each registering double-doubles. Burgos tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Cabonillas had 15 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.
The Baby Tamaraws will bid farewell to Hans Castillejos, Damme De Guzman, and Liam Salangsang, while Miko Pascual and Xyrus Gemao have aged out of the boys’ division.
The Scores:
UST 75 – Ludovice 16, Buenaflor 15, Bucsit 15, Kane 11, Cañete 10, Solon 4, Esteban 2, Manding 2, Acido 0.
FEU-D 63 – Burgos 17, Cabonilas 15, Raneses 10, Salangsang 6, Pascual 6, Godoy 4, Esperanze 3, Gemao 0, Hall 0, Cagurunga 0, Santos 0.
Quarterscores: 23-11, 46-35, 65-55, 75-63.