Tigers cripple Eagles, 87-74

University of Santo Thomas Growling Tigers roared louder than ever as they feasted on the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 87-74, in the meet of the champion and the runner up of last year’s University Athletics Association (UAAP) senior men’s basketball tournament, held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay last August 4.
Rookie Khasim Mirza crippled the Eagles with his three-point baskets, which played a key role in winning the game. Mirza finished with 25 points, the lead scorer in the whole game.

Mighty Tiger Jervy Cruz stomped on the Katipunan-based cagers by recording 19 points and 21 rebounds.
Forward Mel Gile warmed up the game by scoring six points – including a basket from the 3-point line - in the early part of the game, creating an early advantage over the Eagles, 8-2.

The game was in a complete see-saw, with eight dreadlocks and 12 lead changes, ending the 1st quarter with the Eagles on the advantage, 21-24. However, Tigers closed the first half 45-all with a basket from Anthony Espiritu, shooting from the charity stripe.

However, things got hotter off-court as a warning was given to Ateneo since their pep squad Blue Babble Battalion was performing their halftime performance way too long, exciding the allotted 5 minutes by the UAAP board members.

Both the Thomasian and the Atenean crowds were at rage, until a letter from the board was read giving Ateneo the warning.

The third quarter was still in a dreadlock, with the Eagles creating too much foul, sending the Tigers into the charity stripe. The 3rd canto ended 62-61.

Things started illuminating some light for the Tigers, as alternate baskets from Mirzah, Cruz, Dylan Ababou and Mark Canlas shocked the Eagles. The Tigers’ great play of defense helped drifted the score, creating a 17-point lead, 80-63.

Eric Salamat, Chris Tiu and Zion Laterre attempted to create another dreadlock, but failed to do so, closing the game, 87-74.
With that victory, UST closed out its first round campaign as it improved its win-loss record at 4-3, in a tie with the Blue Eagles for third place.

UST 87 -- Mirza 25, Cruz 19, Ababou 10, Canlas 9, Espiritu 7, Gile 6, Cuan 5, Cortez 3, Allera 2, Dizon 1, Scott 0, Badua 0, Taylor 0.
ATENEO 74 -- Salamat 15, Laterre 13, Nkemakolam 10, Tiu 9, Baclao 8, Long 6, Reyes 6, Baldos 2, Barracoso 2, Al-Hussaini 2, Arao 1.Quarters: 21-24, 45-45, 62-61, 87-74