MANILA, Philippines – The University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers finally arrested their 5-game losing skid while extending the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons’ losing streak to 12 with a nail-biting 68-66 win on Saturday in the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Maroons appeared headed for a breakthrough win until another end-game collapse helped the Tigers claw back into the game.

Two unsportsmanlike fouls called on Magi Sison and Mark Juruena triggered UST’s run in the last 5:22 of the game.

Trailing by four, 54-58, the Tigers went on an 11-0 burst to take a 65-58 advantage.

UST’s Fil-Am slotman Chris Camus and Aljon Mariano conspired in that telling run that snapped the fight out of the Maroons.

The Maroons never recovered and are now just 2 losses away from another embarrassing 0-14 sweep, which they recorded in 2007 when the team was still under coach Joe Lipa.

UP’s Alvin Padilla made a three-pointer with sixth-tenths of a second remaining to make it 66-67 before Jeric Teng split his charities at the buzzer to peg the final count.

“Pumutok na si Aljon [Mariano]. Si Chris [Camus] may dinaramdam ‘yan pero naglaro pa rin. Si Jeric [Teng], wala akong masabi. Before this game, sinabi ko sa kanila na may bumukas na bintana nang matalo ng Ateneo and La Salle. Nasa atin na ‘yun kung iga-grab natin,” Jarencio said.

Teng paced the Tigers with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting and added 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.

Mariano and Camus each had 11 points, including 6 and 5, respectively, in the pivotal fourth period as the Tigers moved to a 4-7 tie with idle University of the East Red Warriors.

UP, which missed the services of Woody Co (ACL) and Mark Lopez (foot injury), drew 12 points apiece from Martin Reyes, Alvin Padilla and Carlo Gomez.

The Scores:

UST 68 – Teng 17, Mariano 11, Camus 11, Fortuna 10, Bautista 6, Afuang 6, Pe 5, Mamaril 2, Marata 0, Lo 0, Daquioag 0, Aytona 0.

UP 66 – Martin Reyes 12, Padilla 12, Gomez 12, Sison 8, Juruena 8, Mikee Reyes 6, Silungan 5, Hipolito 3, Saret 0, Pascual 0, Maniego 0.

Quarters: 14-14, 26-31, 45-51, 68-66.