UST forces Game 3 vs NU for UAAP boys' basketball title

Updated Fri, March 21, 2025 at 1:48 AM Published Thu, March 20, 2025 at 4:41 PM

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs defeated the National University (NU) Bullpups, 89-85, to force a winner-take-all Game 3 for the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball championship.

Skipper Koji Buenaflor sealed UST's victory with crucial free throws and finished with 24 points, while Charles Esteban and Carl Manding contributed 16 and 15 points respectively.

The Bullpups rallied from a 72-61 deficit to come within one point, 77-78, with 5:21 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Back-to-back triples from Manding and Esteban re-established a ten-point lead for UST, 87-77, with 2:35 left.

NU made a final push, narrowing the gap to 85-87 with 19.2 seconds remaining, but UST held on for the win after key missed shots by the Bullpups.

The championship-deciding Game 3 is scheduled for March 27 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

UST last won the UAAP boys' basketball title in Season 64 (2001).

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