Tigers get even with skidding Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines -- The UST Growling Tigers survived a big scare from the defending champion National University Bulldogs before scoring a vengeful 65-57 win on Saturday in the UAAP Season 78 men's basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Ed Daquioag and Karim Abdul came through with clutch hits down the stretch to fend off the Bulldogs fiery rally. 

Gelo Alolino hit a three-pointer that capped off 15-3 run by the Bulldogs to get the lead back, 55-54. Daquioag, however quickly answered with timely baskets while Abdul steadied at the line to seal UST's victory. 

The win allowed the Tigers to avenge their lone loss in the tournament so far --a 55-54 heartbreaker at the hands of the Bulldogs in the first round. More importantly, it pushed the Tigers back on top with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws with 8-1 win-loss record. 

Kevin Ferrer tallied a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Abdul also finished with 13 and eight boards. Daquioag, who scored the bulk of his points in the fourth quarter, and Louie Vigil added 10 apiece. 

Alolino led the Bulldogs, who dropped to 3-6 in the standings, with 20 points.  First meeting hero Alfred Aroga, who had some heated moments with Abdul, finished collected 14 points and 17 rebounds but even those big numbers were not enough to keep them from losing their third straight.