MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs are back in the finals after a 75-63 victory over Far Eastern University – Dilimman Baby Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Final Four at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Joaquin Ludovice spearheaded the offense with 16 points, including three outside conversions, to go with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals as the Tiger Cubs moved on to the championship round.
Koji Buenaflor and Charles Bucsit added 15 markers apiece, Racine Kane posted a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds, while Kirk Canete contributed 10 markers for UST.
The Tiger Cubs is facing the Season 86 runner up National University Nazareth School Bullpups in a best-of-three championship series beginning on Thursday afternoon at the same venue.
“Malaking bagay na maganda ‘yung momentum namin and ‘yung confidence ng mga players nagpe-peak sila ngayon, kaya sabi ko sa kanila na tuloy lang nila and enjoy namin ‘yung ginagawa namin,” said Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Inigo after the game.
“Trinabaho namin itong panalo namin, kahit sino ipinasok ko nag-contribute, talagang gusto nilang manalo,” he added. “Dito pa lang kami nagsimula kaya sana mag tuloy-tuloy.”
This marks the Tiger Cubs’ first UAAP Boys’ Basketball Finals appearance since Season 73, during which the Kevin Ferrer-led UST team lost to the Kiefer Ravena-bannered Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets in three games.
The last time the Tiger Cubs secured a UAAP Boys’ Basketball championship was in Season 64 in 2001, with a squad featuring Jun Cortez, June Dizon, and current UST Growling Tigers assistant coach John Paul Cuan.
Marc Burgos finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Baby Tamaraws, while Cabs Cabonillas added 15 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists./PN
