UST roars into UAAP finals

Rappler.com

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UST ousts NU to barge into the UAAP Season 76 finals.

SEE YOU, BROTHER. Teng advances to the finals, where he will face younger brother Jeron. Photo by Rappler/Josh Albelda.

MANILA, Philippines — No mountain is high enough for University of Santo Tomas.

The Growling Tigers overcame the odds to book a slot in the 76th UAAP men’s basketball championship round at the expense of top seed National University, 76-69, Saturday, September 28 at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena.

After a Robin Rono triple put the Bulldogs up, 59-54, the Growling Tigers went on a 16-2 run in the next 5 minutes to steal the driver’s seat and build a 70-61 advantage with only 46 seconds left.

That cushion proved to be enough for UST to topple NU, who wasted its hard-earned twice-to-beat advantage by vanishing in the most crucial of times.

On the other hand, the Tigers completed an inspiring turnaround from almost missing the Final Four to setting up a finals date with sizzling De La Salle University — a team that has won its last 9 games.

With the win, UST, who had to overcome Karim Abdul’s foul woes, became the first 4th seed to beat a top seed since the inception of the Final Four.

“Speechless ako ngayon,” said a crying coach Pido Jarencio. “Di ko akalaing aabot kami ng finals. Maraming taong nagdududa sa kakayanan ko.”

Jeric Teng led the Tigers with 19 points as he led the Espana-based squad back to the Last Dance, where he will battle his younger brother, La Salle star forward Jeron.

Kevin Ferrer continued his brilliant form in the playoffs, stopping former MVP Ray Parks and adding 18 points and 5 rebounds for UST. – Rappler.com

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