University of Santo Tomas (UST) graduating players Koji Buenaflor, Charles Esteban and Carl Manding refused to let their high school University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) careers end without putting up a fight.

Leaning on the combined efforts of the trio, the Tiger Cubs secured an 89-85 triumph over National University Nazareth School to force a winner-take-all in Game 2 of their Season 87 boys’ basketball tournament best-of-three finals series on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

UST held a 72-61 lead, but NUNS clawed back with a crucial 16-6 run, led by Nigerian center Collins Akowe, Migs Palanca and Mot Matias, cutting the deficit to 78-77. However, Manding and Esteban responded with clutch shooting at the perfect moment.

Manding drilled two consecutive corner triples, followed by Esteban’s three-pointer, extending UST’s lead to a comfortable 87-77 cushion with 2:35 remaining.

But the Bullpups refused to surrender. A Chad Cartel triple, two free throws from Akowe, and a late Mac Alfanta three-pointer trimmed the deficit to 87-85 with just 19.2 seconds left.

Despite their comeback attempt, NUNS faltered in the final moments as Alfanta missed a potential game-tying three-pointer, and Akowe’s unconverted layup sealed their fate. Buenaflor then iced the game with two clutch free throws, keeping UST’s bid to end a 24-year title drought alive.

UST last won a UAAP boys’ basketball championship in Season 64 back in 2001.

The rubber match is scheduled on 27 March at 12 p.m. at the same San Juan venue.

“Credit to the boys, they didn’t panic despite our opponents’ rally. They still stayed composed,” UST coach Manu Iñigo said.

“Our boys trusted each other and played defense very well. They worked hard for this win and to keep our championship aspirations alive.”

The victory kept the Tiger Cubs afloat despite limited production from Senegalese forward Racine Kane, who battled foul trouble throughout the game. Kane finished with five points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

A key factor in UST’s victory was their improved three-point shooting.

After going 4-of-26 from beyond the arc in their 70-77 Game 1 loss a week ago, the Tiger Cubs converted an efficient 14-of-37 in Game 2.

Buenaflor led UST with 24 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two blocks while Esteban added 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting with three rebounds and three assists.

Manding contributed 15 points, all coming from three-pointers, along with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Co-captain Kirk Canete chipped in 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Charles Bucsit added nine points, four rebounds, and two assists.