The Varsitarian

THE FIRST round just became even sweeter for the Tiger Cubs.

Marching to their fourth straight victory in the season, the Cubs thwarted the Adamson University Baby Falcons, 74-60, to stay unscathed, at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan last July 25.

Wanting to erase last year’s stigma of faltering during the fourth game, the Cubs came out confident in their face-off against Adamson even leading by as much as 15 points in the fourth quarter, 62-47, courtesy of Cederick Labing-isa’s steady shooting.

“It was a hard-fought game for us. They played a little tensed because they are bothered by last year’s experience,” coach Allan Ascue said.

A 6-0 opening salvo gave UST an early advantage, bolstered by a resounding dunk from Kyle Neypes, 12-7, going into the final two minutes of the period.

Come second quarter, the España-based junior dribblers began to pull away from the Baby Falcons with a flurry of jumpers from Neypes, ending the period at 32-18.

Fritz Gamban led Adamson’s onslaught in the third quarter with his consistent inside and outside shooting, 34-26. But Kevin Ferrer retaliated for UST, 41-31, dominating the painted area.

Toward the end of the third quarter, Adamson posted mini-runs that allowed them to come within four, 44-40, going into the final period.

Treys from Ferrer and Labing-isa sealed the deal for UST, iced by a buzzer-beater lay-up from Molline Gonzalez.

Ferrer registered 21 points while Neypes churned in 20 baskets. Gamban led Adamson single-handedly with 20 points.

UST now shares the top spot with De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers with an identical 4-0 win-loss card.

Previously, the Tiger Cubs preyed on a hapless University of the Philippines (UP) Baby Maroons, posting a 91-50 walk-in-the-park last July 21 to remain unbeaten in three games.

Unchallenged by their Diliman-based counterparts who relied heavily on starter Kevin Villanueva’s shooting, UST showed no mercy as it unleashed a barrage of jumpers to end the first half on a high note, 47-23.

In the third quarter, the Tiger Cubs’ consistent shooting paved way for a whopping 35-point lead, 62-27. UST banked on their second-chance scoring, burying UP alive, 81-45, toward the end of the game.

Neypes led UST with 17 points while Villanueva was the lone bright spot for UP with 20 points and 20 rebounds.

The Cubs’ domination came after an 82-73 whitewashing of Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eaglets last July 18.

A flurry of treys from Jazreel Jimenez and Gonzalez gave the Tigers a 60-49 lead toward the end of the third period. Refusing to raise the white flag, Keifer Ravena picked up the slack for the Eaglets and dangerously close, 70-69, with 3:26 left in the game.

But UST’s consistent shooting from the stripe sealed the deal.

“We prepared hard for this game. We looked out for Ateneo’s every movement and their every shooter. We know that Ateneo is one of the toughest contenders. I think it was our desire that gave us the win,” coach Ascue said.

The Tiger Cubs are set to face DLSZ Junior Archers for a solo claim of the top spot on August 1.