UST nabs last Final 4 spot at Ateneo's expense

MANILA – After five years, there will finally be a new champion in the UAAP. The UST Growling Tigers defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 82-74, to claim the last spot in the Final Four of the season 76 men’s basketball tournament. It was the Growling Tigers who came up with the big shots and the big stops at the end game, which saw them squander a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter. Karim Abdul exploded for 25 points to go along with nine rebounds, while Jeric Teng scored 17 points, including clutch free throws in the end game. The Tigers’ win ensured that there will be a new champion in the collegiate league after Ateneo reigned supreme for five consecutive years. Meanwhile, the UE Red Warriors doomed the UP Fighting Maroons to another winless season after escaping with a 76-73 win in their last game of the tournament. Graduating guard Lord Casajeros scored 17 points and came up with the biggest plays in crunch time as the Red Warriors registered their best finish since 2009. The Maroons wrapped up another winless season, having gone 0-14 in 2007 and 2010 as well. Mornings@ANC, September 19, 2013