Tiger Cubs lose three straight, fall to Pasaol-led Baby Tams
The UST Tiger Cubs suffered their third consecutive loss at the hands of the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws, 79–69, in the UAAP Season 85 high school boys’ basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, Wednesday afternoon.
The Tiger Cubs led by two after the first salvo behind JP Pangilinan’s 10-point spurt, 22–20.
But the Baby Tamaraws outscored UST by nine points in the second quarter as they finished the first half with a seven-point lead, 46–39, led by star guard JR Pasaol with 15 points.
Pangilinan, who scored 15 points in the first half, struggled to find his rhythm as the FEU defense held the Tiger Cubs to 11 points come the third frame.
UST had a chance to spark a run as the game was still reachable during the fourth quarter. But FEU held on to the lead as they dealt UST’s fourth loss of the tournament, 69–79.
Pasaol led all scorers with 20 points to go along with five rebounds, while Vj Pre notched a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Mark Llemit scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead the Tiger Cubs. Pangilinan and James Jumao-as both scored 15 points in the losing effort.
The Tiger Cubs now have a 2–4 record, tying La Salle and Ateneo for the fourth seed. They will face the UE Junior Warriors (1–5) this Sunday in hopes of breaking the tiebreaker and solidifying their hold on their final four hopes. — Francis Marvin De Ungria
The Scores:
FEU — Pasaol 20, Pre 13, Miranda 11, Herbito 8, Mongcopa 7, Salangsang 7, Felipe 6, Daa 3, Cabonilas 2, Pascual 2, Cabigting 0
UST — Llemit 17, Jumao-as 15, Pangilinan 15, Bucsit 6, Ayon 6, Tesocan 4, Pantaleon 2, Miaco 2, Esteban 2, Manding 0, Velasquez 0
Quarter Scoring: 20–22, 46–39, 58–50, 79–69
