UST’s win spoiled the return of UP coach Bo Perasol from a two-game suspension although the Fighting Maroons still hold the No. 2 spot with a 6-4 mark. #BoPerasol #USTbeatsUP

University of Santo Tomas (UST) weathered the rally of University of the Philippines (UP) and had to finish the game strong for an 84-78 win in Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament last night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After Kobe Paras hit a triple to give the Fighting Maroons a 78-74 lead with 1:40 remaining, the Growling Tigers responded with a back-breaking 10-0 run highlighted by triples from Brent Paraiso and Renz Subido to sweep UP in the elimination round.

“It was a good game. It was a good win. Because it was a close game, being a young team and making good decisions down the stretch made us a better team today,” said UST head coach Aldin Ayo, whose team hit a season-high 16 triples in the game.

“We don’t have a dominant big man so if we don’t run and hit those threes, we will lose. We’re going to take those shots no matter what,” he added.

Sherwin Concepcion paced the Growling Tigers with a career-high 16 points, including five of the team’s total treys while Soulemane Chabi Yo chipped in 14 markers and 10 rebounds helping UST improve its win-loss mark to 6-5.

Subido and CJ Cansino contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively for the Growling Tigers, who led by as much as nine points in the game.

UST’s win spoiled the return of UP coach Bo Perasol from a two-game suspension although the Fighting Maroons still hold the No. 2 spot with a 6-4 mark.

Kobe Paras, who had a dangerous fall midway in the second period, led UP with 18 points while team captain added 12 points and seven assists. Reigning Most Valuable Player Bright Akhuetie had 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Fighting Maroons.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University both needed a strong finish to turn back their respective rivals.

The Blue Eagles rallied from 11 points down and turned back Far Eastern University (FEU), 65-55, to remain unbeaten after 11 games while the Green Archers banked on Justin Baltazar to avenge their first-round loss to University of the East (UE), 65-59.

Ateneo’s perfect record was in danger when the Tamaraws built a 40-29 lead at the half but a 17-7 run by Ateneo in the third period cut the lead to 46-47 entering the fourth quarter.

Wendell Comboy’s triple put FEU within two, 55-57 but the Blue Eagles finished the game with eight straight points to seal the victory and reassert their mastery over the Tamaraws.

“Huge credit to coach Olsen (Racela) and his coaching staff for getting this team extremely prepared for the game today,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin, who drew 10 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks from Angelo Kouame.

“They did a great job in the first half and even the second half and they stuck in their game plan.”

LJ Gonzales finished with 12 points while Rey Bienes added eight markers for FEU, which dropped to 5-6.

Baltazar tallied 23 points and 12 rebounds while one-and-done recruit Jamie Malonzo and Encho Serrano each had 12 markers to lead La Salle, which improved its record to 5-5.

“It was tough for us after that game with Ateneo. We only had two days to prepare and we were lucky today that we were able to push through (against the Red Warriors),” Green Archers head coach Gian Nazario said.

Trailing 42-46, Baltazar had eight in their 15-6 assault capped by Malonzo’s layup to reclaim the lead at 57-52 with 3:36 remaining and La Salle never relinquished the lead to avenge its 88-89 loss in the first round.

“We needed this win if we want to get to our goal of reaching the Final Four. UE is truly a great team but I am proud of the team I have of pulling off with the victory,” La Salle active consultant Jermaine Byrd said.

Rey Suerte, who sank the game-winner against the Green Archers in their first meeting, led the Red Warriors with 17 points while Philip Manalang added 14. Alex Diakhite netted 11 points and 20 rebounds for UE, which dropped to 3-8.