Philippineindex.com

Growling Tigers, who snapped their 12-game losing skid against the Blue Eagles since 2007. Jeric Teng notched 16 points and seven rebounds while Abdul Karim contributed 14 points including a crucial layup down the stretch.

“One point, 20 points, a win is a win. We were down by 15, 16 but the boys just didn’t give up,” said Growling Tigers mentor Pido Jarencio.

The Blue Eagles were actually leading all throughout the first half, establishing as much as 15-point lead, 43-28.

But UST came out firing as Mariano, who scored 13 markers in the third period alone, sparked the Growling Tigers’ comeback to grab the upper hand at 58-54 going into the final frame.

Ateneo, via Kiefer Ravena’s layup and Juami Tiongson’s triple made a last-ditch effort to cut the lead to just one point, 70-71, with 5.1 seconds left.

Ravena finished with 19 points while Nico Salva added 17 markers for the Blue Eagles, who absorbed their first loss in two games.

UST improved its record to 1-1.

In the women’s division, defending champion Far Eastern University and De La Salle University toppled their respective foes to join opening game winners Ateneo and National University on top with 1-0.

FEU started its title retention bid with a 58-52 beating of UST while La Salle whipped last year’s runner-up Adamson University, 60-52.