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UST's Clark Bautista drives against the defense of L.A. Revilla in their match against the DLSU in Game One of the UAAP Finals. UST defeated La Salle, 73-72 | Photo by Ann Lafuente, TomasinoWeb
By Angelica Abello

The momentum-ridden University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers escaped the De La Salle University Green Archers via 73-72 thrilling victory and clinched Game One of the UAAP Season 76 Men’s Basketball Finals in front of 20,525 fans in the best of-three series at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum today.

Kevin Ferrer’s clutch three during the last 41 tics of the game gave the Tigers a reason to celebrate with a 73-69 lead before Jeron Teng counter-parted it with a 3-point play, 73-72.

The Tigers managed to keep their composure in the neck-to-neck game against their 90’s rival during the final seconds of the game when a costly turnover by Aljon Mariano almost shattered the hopes of the España-based squad.

DLSU’s Almond Vosotros missed an open-three pointer from the right elbow while L.A. Revilla’s put back was denied by UST’s center Karim Abdul blocked as the time expired. 

The Tigers scorched hot during the first quarter with an 18-0 run, leaving behind La Salle with an 18-2 lead. However, La Salle snatched the driver’s seat from UST at the end of the third quarter, 50-54, before the older Teng sparked a 5-0 run at the opening of the final period to cut the lead down to one.

Ferrer backed on his fiery hands finishing with 20 points, including five triples, six rebounds, one steal and a block while Abdul chipped in 19 markers and 12 rebounds and JericTeng added 17 points and seven rebounds. 

Vosotros and Teng led the archers with 20 and 15 points respectively. 

Game Two is set on Saturday at the same venue with the Tigers aiming to bag their first title since 2006 while La Salle is targeting to extend the series to a decider.

Boxscore:

UST 73- Ferrer 20, Abdul 19, Teng 17, Sheriff 6, Daquioag 4, Bautista 3, Mariano 2, Lao 2, Pe 0, Lo 0

DLSU 72- Vosotros 20, Teng 15, Van Opstal 13, Perkins 11, T Torres 7, Revilla 4, N Torres 2, Tampus 0, Reyes 0, Montalbo 0, De La Paz 0

Quarter-scores: 23-13, 38-31, 50-54, 73-72




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