The Varsitarian

Updated September 11, 5:18 p.m. - The National University Bulldogs denied UST a chance to snatch the third seed in the Final Four with a lopsided 73-49 victory over the Growling Tigers at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum this afternoon.

The Tigers, who played without suspended center Karim Abdul, placed fourth in the standings after the De La Salle Green Archers lost to FEU Tamaraws in the second game of today's double-header.

UST also missed the offense of Melo Afuang, who was recovering from a gall bladder surgery.

Playing with nothing to lose, the Bulldogs erected a double-digit lead early in the game until the Tigers cut it to two in the second half.

"Factor talaga yung absence nina Karim at Melo," Jarencio said. "Kung dati eh 'best rebounding team' kami, nung nawala si Karim, naging 'worst rebounding team' kami."

Jeric Teng carried the scoring load for UST with 19 points, while grabbing four boards. Rodolfo Serafin Jerome T. Lozada