MANILA – Gab Castro converted clutch baskets as the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs ousted Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 Junior Basketball knockout Final Four on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the score tied at 59-all, Castro knocked down two straight inside baskets to give the Tiger Cubs a 63-59 advantage with over a minute left in the contest.
The Baby Tamaraws cut the deficit to 61-63 on a basket by Lakay Pasinos, but a three-point play by Castro with under a minute left sealed the victory for the Tiger Cubs.
Castro finished the game with 11 points and four rebounds as the Tiger Cubs erased the twice-to-beat incentive of the Baby Tamaraws to move on to the best-of-three Finals against the University of the East Junior Warriors.
Dustin Bathan and Nickson Cabañero led the Tiger Cubs with 15 points apiece, while Miguel Jubilado contributed 13 markers, while Jhon Canapi struggled with nine markers in the win.
“Dadagdagan pa namin yung effort namin [against UE], especially on defense. Balik sa practice, viewing na naman kami,” Tiger Cubs head coach Noli Mejos said in a post-game interview.
“Kung nagawa namin dati na matalo sa kanila by two points, kulang ‘yung effort namin at players noon, ngayon dadagdagan namin para manalo kami,” he added. “Mag-a-adjust kami.”
Pasinos had a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Baby Tamaraws; Anton Lopez and Mark Dulin added 11 markers apiece, and Prince Carino contributed 10 markers.
“Naging prepared lang din talaga kami, nagbunga rin ‘yung sacrifices, may halo na ring swerte. Halos lahat din, lucky shots ‘eh. Nagsimula ‘yan nung sacrifices ng mga bata sa practice, talagang sakripisyo all out,” Mejos said./PN
BOX SCORE:
UST 67 – Cabanero 15, Bathan 15, Jubilado 13, Castro 11, Canapi 9, Villacarlos, Balague 2.
FEU-D 61 – Pasinos 17, Lopez 11, Dulin 11, Carino 10, Miranda 6, Pineda 4, Santos 2, Lassiter 0, Diaz 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 35-32, 52-48, 67-61.
