The UST Tiger Cubs’ Jhon Canapi against the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — The University of Santo Tomas (UST) remained alive in the UAAP Season 87 juniors’ basketball tournament Final 4.
The third-seed Tiger Cubs were able to pull away late against second-seed Far Eastern University-Diliman for an 84-75 victory in their Wednesday afternoon battle at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
John Canapi finished with 26 points, 12 of which came from beyond the arc, together with four markers, three assists, and three steals.
“Malaking bagay ‘to sa amin, kaya sana next game manalo kami,” said Canapi, who led the late-game surge of UST High.
“Gusto po talaga naming mag champion, yun talaga yung goal namin,” he continued.
Also impressive was Nickson Cabañero who had a 15-point, 16-rebound game, with seven assists and a steal, while Dustin Bathan scored the same amount while also posting seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Tied at 71 late in the game after FEU-D came back from a 65-54 deficit, Canapi sank a technical free throw to give his team a slim lead, but that shot only happened to be one that started a late run by USTe.
Miguel Jubilado and Canapi took turns hitting threes for a 78-71 lead, while Dustin Bathan’s trey at the 2:02 mark re-extended the Tiger Cubs’ lead to 10, 81-71.
Anton Lopez, who willed back the Baby Tamaraws to the 71 deadlock after scoring eight straight points, drained another basket to get FEU-D within eight, 81-73, but that was the nearest that they could get as Canapi hit another triple with only 1:34 left on the clock for another 11-point cushion, 84-73.
Lopez finished with 23 points, 15 from three-point area, and he also backed it up with three assists and two boards to lead FEU-D.
Prince Cariño backstopped him with a 13-point, 14-rebound game, and Lakay Pasinos also had a double-double with 10 markers and 10 boards.
Game 2 of the series is on Sunday, December 8, 2024, 10:00 a.m., at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
THE SCORES:
UST 84 — Canapi 26, Cabañero 15, Bathan 15, Castro 14, Jubilado 11, Balague 2, Guerrero 1, Villacarlos 0.
FEU-D 75 — Lopez 23, Cariño 13, Pasinos 10, Santos 9, Miranda 5, Enriquez 5, Dulin 3, Pingris 2, Lassiter 2, Diaz 2, Victoria 0, Pineda 0, Barlan 0.
Quarterscores: 19-23, 41-38, 67-57, 84-75.
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