MANILA, Philippines. — University of Santo Tomas (UST) bolstered its UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final Four bid after holding off University of the East (UE), 76-67, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Nic Cabañero fired 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Growling Tigers, who solidified their hold of the fourth spot with a 6-7 slate.
Gelo Crisostomo racked up 14 points and seven rebounds for UST which led by as many as 27 points, 41-14, but saw it dwindle to five in the last minutes.
The Growling Tigers didn’t crumble, though, hitting timely baskets to sweep their season series against the third seed Red Warriors, who dropped to 6-6.
In the process, UST booted out the Ateneo Blue Eagles (3-9) from Final Four contention, as the latter would not make the semifinals for the first time in 11 years.
