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The UST Growling Tigers will join the rest of the final four cast of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) on Monday night, November 20 at the San Juan Arena.

The Growling Tigers demolished battered Adamson Falcons, 88-64, to claim the Luzon-Metro Manila championship.

Aljon Mariano topped UST with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Jeric Teng, Kevin Ferrer, and skipper Jeric Fortuna provided the needed support adding 15, 12, and 11 markers respectively.

The Growling Tigers pulled away in the 3rd period after Mariano sizzled with 12 points to end the penultimate quarter with a 13 point lead, 58-45.

Clark Bautista got his rhythm going as he nailed three treys for a 9 point performance in the final quarter. An Errol Villar basket and a Robert Hainga lay-up sent the lead to its biggest margin at 27 points, 88-61.

The España-based squad also halted the 7-game winning streak of Adamson who went through the Metro Manila Qualifiers before thumping the De La Salle Archers and dethroning PCCL 2011 champion – the San Sebastian Golden Stags.

Defense played a vital role for UST as they limited Jericho Cruz to only 10 points.

Cruz, with a career-high 37 markers against the Golden Stags, was a huge factor for the Soaring Falcons in their campaign but failed to sustain his season-long brilliance.

Cruz left the game with three minutes left in the 3rd quarter after he was slapped a technical foul for resenting a call, thus earning his 5th personal foul in the process.

The win gave UST a ticket to the semifinals where they will go up against UAAP and NCAA Champions – the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the San Beda Red Lions, as well as CESAFI champion – Southwestern University.

Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers are hoping to extend their momentum as they face the Blue Eagles on Wednesday afternoon, November 21 in a rematch of the recently concluded UAAP finals, while the Red Lions and Cobras is set at 2 p.m.

The scores:

UST 88 – Mariano 20, Teng 15, Ferrer 12, Fortuna 11, Bautista 9, Abdul 5, Lo 5, Daquiaog 3, Vigil 2, Villar 2, Hainga 2, Afuang 2, Garrido 0, Pe 0

AdU 64 – Camson 17, Cabrera 16, Cruz 10, Abrigo 7, Monteclaro 5, Brondial 4, Agustin 2, Julkipli 2, Cabigas 1, Mendoza 0, Trollano 0, Petilo 0, Rios 0, Bernabe 0

QUARTER SCORES: 16-10, 34-28, 58-45, 88-64

By AJ Bolando

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