UP Fighting Maroons repulse UST Growling Tigers

(UP’s Ibrahim Outtara attempting a layup. Photo by Dante Peralta/ spin.ph)

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons fended off the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 71-69, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Trailing 61-68 with 1:50 left in the payoff period, UST uncorked an 8-2 run punctuated by Marvin Lee’s left wing trifecta to bring the lead down to 1, 69-70.

“Feeling ko shoot talaga kasi derecho yung pagbato ko, kaya noong lumabas […] siguro hindi talaga para sa amin yung game,” Marvin Lee on his last-gasp triple that went in-and-out of the rim.

UP playmaker Jun Manzo sealed the game with a split in the charity stripe.

UP started hot, unleashing a 13-0 run to put them ahead early, 13-2, but UST made a 15-2 run of their own to head into second quarter leading, 17-15.

Surprise starter Janjan Jaboneta led UP with 12 points on a perfect 4/4 shooting from the rainbow country, while Jun Manzo added 11 markers.

Marvin Lee paced UST with 17 points, while Steve Akomo chipped in seven markers and 20 caroms.

UP improved to a 4-4 card, while UST absorbed its eighth loss in as many games.

UP will next battle the defending champions DLSU Green Archers on Sunday, Oct. 15, at Fil Oil arena in San Juan, while UST will try to snatch a win against the FEU Tamaraws on the same day at the same venue.