Tigers squander huge lead but still beat Fighting Maroons

University of Santo Tomas used a huge double-figure lead as enough cushion to outlast a hard-fighting University of the Philippines squad, 93-88, on Thursday in the 72nd UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Big Dome. “A win is a win," said UST mentor Pido Jarencio after the match that saw the Growling Tigers squander a 31-point edge at the start of the third quarter and allow the Fighting Maroons threaten to reverse the outcome of the match until the final buzzer. “Masama nga lang sa mata pero at least nanalo kami," added Jarencio after the Growling Tigers bagged their fifth win that put them in a tie for the third and fourth spots with idle University of the East Red Warriors. UST’s victory also gave them a full game lead over fifth placer La Salle in the race for the last Final Four spot. Powered by Clark Bautista's 12 points, the squad from España zoomed ahead in the second quarter and posted a 55-27 lead at the turn and a 58-27 advantage at the start of the third quarter where the Diliman-based school put up a gallant stand. Utilizing a stingy full-court defense, the Fighting Maroons forced the Growling Tigers to commit seven straight turnovers, the last on a passing error by Khasim Mirza forcing teammate Chris Camus to give up a foul on Mark Lopez. Lopez’ free throws cut UST’s lead to 15, 73-58. UP extended its scoring run in the fourth with a Woody Co three-pointer and a Lopez lay-up trimming UST lead to five, 92-87, but time was not on their side as the Fighting Maroons failed to reverse the outcome of the match to absorb their seventh defeat in nine games. “Nawala ang finishing namin," added Jarencio. “Pero ang positive lang dito ay naipakita naming kaya naming tumambak kapag lalaro ng samasama ang team." Ababou combined with Khasim Mirza and Jeric Teng in holding off UP in the fourth as they combined for 14 of UST's 17 fourth quarter points. The Growling Tigers’ nine three-point shots in the first half immensely helped UST in erecting that huge 31-point first half lead. Mark Bautista, who finished with 17 points, scored four of his five treys in the first half. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV