UST Growling Tigers vs FEU Tamaraws: UST Cruises to 81-69 UAAP Victory

The UST Growling Tigers put together one of their most complete performances of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, defeating the FEU Tamaraws 81-69 on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. A balanced offensive attack, timely three-point shooting, and a disruptive defensive effort helped UST build a double-digit lead early in the second half and hold off every FEU comeback attempt down the stretch.

With the win, the Growling Tigers strengthened their position in the UAAP standings and reinforced their Final Four credentials. The Tamaraws, meanwhile, were left to rue a cold shooting afternoon and a handful of costly turnovers that allowed UST to control the tempo from the opening quarter.

Match Overview

UST never trailed after the midway point of the first quarter. The Growling Tigers led 22-15 after the first 10 minutes, extended the advantage to 43-34 by halftime, and pushed the margin to 64-50 entering the fourth. FEU made a late push behind Paolo Mendoza and Ethan Lim, cutting the deficit to single digits with under six minutes remaining, but UST answered with a decisive 7-0 run to seal the result.

The final score reflected UST’s control of the game: 81-69. The Tigers shot 45.5% from the field, knocked down 10 three-pointers, and won the rebounding battle 44-36. FEU shot just 38.7% from the floor and converted only 6 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc.

Scoring by Quarter

• First quarter: UST 22, FEU 15
• Halftime: UST 43, FEU 34
• Third quarter: UST 64, FEU 50
• Final: UST 81, FEU 69

First Half: UST Sets the Tone

The Growling Tigers came out with clear intent on both ends. UST’s guards pressured FEU’s ball handlers early, forcing the Tamaraws into rushed possessions and long contested jumpers. On offense, UST moved the ball patiently, generated open looks in transition, and punished FEU’s rotating defense with extra passes.

Miguel Santos set the tone with an aggressive first quarter, scoring off drives and pull-up jumpers. When FEU collapsed on him, UST found Rafael Cruz inside for second-chance opportunities and short corner finishes. The Tigers closed the first quarter on a 9-2 run, turning a tight game into a seven-point cushion.

FEU stayed within striking distance in the second quarter behind Mendoza’s interior scoring and Lim’s playmaking. A triple from Lim trimmed the UST lead to 35-30, but the Tigers responded immediately. Santos drilled a three from the wing, Cruz scored on a putback, and Jomar Reyes added a fast-break layup to push the halftime lead to 43-34.

Second Half: Tigers Break Away

UST opened the third quarter with a 12-2 surge that effectively changed the game. The run was fueled by defense: two steals led to easy transition baskets, and FEU’s half-court offense stalled against UST’s switching schemes. When the Tamaraws tried to attack the paint, Cruz and the UST frontcourt contested shots without fouling.

By the end of the third, UST held a 64-50 lead. FEU’s offense became too dependent on individual plays, and the Tamaraws struggled to string together stops. UST’s bench also made an impact, with Reyes providing instant energy and scoring, while the Tigers’ second unit maintained the defensive intensity.

Key Moments

• End of first quarter: UST’s 9-2 run turned a 13-13 tie into a 22-15 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
• Start of third quarter: A 12-2 UST burst pushed the lead to 55-36, forcing FEU to play catch-up basketball.
• Fourth-quarter FEU rally: The Tamaraws used a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 70-62, briefly threatening a comeback.
• UST’s closing 7-0 run: Santos and Reyes combined for seven straight points to push the lead back to 15 and end FEU’s hopes.

Tactical Story

UST’s game plan was built on defensive disruption and offensive balance. The Growling Tigers switched aggressively on screens, crowded FEU’s primary scorers, and dared the Tamaraws to beat them from the perimeter. FEU could not consistently capitalize, finishing the game 6-of-24 from three-point range.

Offensively, UST shared the ball well, recording 19 assists on 29 made field goals. The Tigers attacked the rim early, then used drive-and-kick actions to create open threes. Santos served as the primary creator, while Cruz controlled the glass and provided a reliable interior presence. UST also won the bench battle 28-19, a crucial edge in a game played at a physical pace.

FEU’s best stretches came when Mendoza established position inside and Lim pushed the tempo in transition. However, the Tamaraws committe