UST ends 24-year title drought, claims UAAP Season 87 HS basketball crown

The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs are once again kings of UAAP high school boys' basketball.

UST took down National University Nazareth School in overtime, 83-77, on Thursday in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball finals at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

It is UST's 12th overall title in boys basketball, with the last title dating back to 2001 in Season 64.

The Tiger Cubs led 46-29 before the first half closed 46-35, still in the España-based squad's advantage.

However, the Bullpups powered through particularly in the fourth period where they outscored UST, 25-14, to force overtime as Migs Palanca closed regulation at 74-all.

Kirk Cañete fired the first shot in the extra period as it ignited a 6-0 run along with back-to-back baskets by Racine Kane to claim the lead past the halfway mark of the said frame.

Roje Matias then connected from beyond the arc to salvage NUNS' campaign with less than two minutes left before a Kane split put UST in front, 81-77. Cañete's freebies off a Jedric Solomon foul sealed the victory for the Tiger Cubs.

"Ang goal ko talaga as a coach is maraming bata ang matulungan to make it to the next level. Ipaglalapit ko lahat ng history na 'yan sa mga bata na natulungan namin, ‘yon ang importante," said UST head coach Manu Iñigo.

"Seventeen-point lead nga, pero walang safe na lead against NUNS talaga. Ang vision namin ay win it per quarter kaya wala kaming pakialam kung sino lamang, basta hanggang dulo. Swinerte kami nung overtime kaya kami nanalo," he added.

Kane led the Tiger Cubs in Game 3 with 28 points and 17 rebounds, to go with two steals, two blocks, and an assist, as he was eventually named Finals MVP. Koji Buenaflor, meanwhile, had 12 points and 15 rebounds, along with six assists, while Cañete had 10 boards, eight points, and two steals.

Best Foreign Student-Athlete Collins Akowe had 23 points and 24 rebounds, while Migs Palanca had his own double-double of 21 points and 13 boards. Mac Alfanta joined the double-double party with 10 points and 11 rebounds as the Bullpups fell short in their title redemption campaign.

NUNS took Game 1 of the series, 77-70, but UST forced a do-or-die, 89-85 in Game 2.

Scores:

UST 83 – Kane 28, Buenaflor 12, Esteban 11, Ludovice 10, Manding 10, Cañete 8, Bucsit 4, Solon 0, Acido 0, Cidanes 0.

NUNS 77 – Akowe 23, Palanca 21, Alfanta 10, Locsin 9, Cartel 4, Matias 3, Solomon 2, Nepacena 2, Usop 0, Pillado 0, Natinga 0, Figueroa 0, Lucido 0.

Quarters: 24-18, 46-33, 60-49, 74-74, 83-77.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News