UST survives UC anew to rule Bayugan caging
BAYUGAN CITY, Agusandel Sur, Philippines — The Vincare Pharma-University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers overcame the Phoenix Fuels Life-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 88-83, in a nerve-wracking final to win the championship of the Mayor Kim Lope A. Asis Collegiate Invitational Basketball Tournament 2018 here last night.
The Tigers, who bested UC in the elimination round, 78-71, folded up after establishing an early 17-point lead, 26-9, behind the hot hands of Marvin Lee as the Webmasters staged a daring fightback to give the UAAP squad one hell of a fight the rest of the way.
The Webmasters were even on the verge of victory after John Jabello scored on a barreling drive that put them on top, 83-82, with only 42 seconds left to play.
In the ensuing sequence, however, tournament MVP Renzo Subido showed nerves of steel in banking in a 3-pointer to hand the lead back to UST, 85-83, with 38 seconds remaining. With plenty of time left, UC had several chances to regain control of the nip and tuck duel but their 6-foot-8 Cameroonian import Frederick Elombi blew them away. First when Elombi threw an ill-advised triple that was way off the mark with 19 seconds left. To buy time, UC quickly fouled Lee, who split his charities for an 86-83 lead.
The Webmasters still had an opportunity to send the game into overtime but Elombi committed another major blunder when he picked up an inbounds pass by Daryl Dhane Menina that was intended for Jabello.
The ball went out of bounds, sealing UC's fate. UST's Nat Cosejo then hit two free throws to settle the final tally.
"It was a character win for us. We made so many lapses but the important thing is that we finish the right way," said UST coach Aldin Ayo. The Tigers pocketed P200,000 for their efforts, while the Webmasters took home P150,000.
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