NU Bulldogs 87, UST Growling Tigers 85 — The National University Bulldogs escaped with a hard-fought 87–85 victory over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in UAAP men's basketball action on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. In a game that swung wildly across the final ten minutes, NU erased a double-digit second-half deficit and stole the win with a go-ahead basket inside the last ten seconds, leaving the Growling Tigers to rue a missed opportunity in a tightly packed Final Four race.

Match Overview

The two teams came into the matinee meeting needing a win for very different reasons. NU was protecting its place near the top of the standings, while UST was scrapping to stay within reach of the semifinal picture. What followed was one of the more entertaining finishes of the season so far: a physical, turnover-heavy contest that turned into a shot-making duel down the stretch.

• Final score: NU Bulldogs 87, UST Growling Tigers 85
• Competition: Philippines University Athletic Association (UAAP) men's basketball
• Date and time: October 10, 2026, 3:00 PM
• Venue: Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
• Margin: 2 points — the Bulldogs' narrowest win of the campaign

How the Game Unfolded

UST set the tone early, attacking the rim with purpose and getting to the free-throw line repeatedly in the opening quarter. The Growling Tigers' guards pushed the pace off NU turnovers and built a 20–18 lead after ten minutes, with their half-court defense forcing the Bulldogs into contested mid-range jumpers.

The second quarter followed a similar script. UST's bench gave solid minutes, and a short 7–0 spurt midway through the period stretched the lead to nine. NU steadied itself behind back-to-back three-pointers before the break, trimming the deficit to 41–38 at halftime. The Bulldogs shot just 2-of-9 from beyond the arc in the first half, a number that would look very different by the final buzzer.

UST appeared to take control in the third. A 9–2 run to open the quarter, capped by a transition dunk, pushed the Growling Tigers ahead by 11 — their largest lead of the game. But NU's response was methodical rather than frantic. The Bulldogs went inside to their big men, drew fouls, and chipped away at the line, closing the quarter on an 8–2 burst to make it 63–59 heading into the fourth.

The final period delivered everything the crowd came for. NU opened with a 10–0 run to take its first lead since the opening minutes, only for UST to answer with consecutive triples and regain a five-point cushion with under four minutes left. From there, the teams traded baskets on nearly every possession. NU's defense forced two crucial turnovers in the last 90 seconds, and with the clock winding down, the Bulldogs converted a drive into the paint for the go-ahead bucket with 8.4 seconds remaining. UST had one last look from the right wing at the buzzer, but the attempt rimmed out, sealing the two-point result.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring

• First quarter: UST 20, NU 18
• Second quarter: UST 21, NU 20 (halftime: UST 41, NU 38)
• Third quarter: UST 22, NU 21 (end of third: UST 63, NU 59)
• Fourth quarter: NU 28, UST 22 (final: NU 87, UST 85)

Tactical Story

The game turned on two adjustments. First, NU abandoned its early perimeter-heavy approach and committed to attacking the paint, which generated second-chance points and put UST's frontline in foul trouble. Second, the Bulldogs switched to a more aggressive half-court trap in the fourth quarter, forcing the Growling Tigers into rushed decisions and live-ball turnovers at exactly the wrong time.

UST, for its part, was the better team for roughly three quarters. The Growling Tigers moved the ball well, generated quality looks in transition, and controlled the defensive glass for long stretches. Their undoing was execution under pressure: UST managed only four field goals in the final six minutes and went cold from the free-throw line in crunch time, finishing the game with several costly empty possessions.

Standout Players

NU's comeback was powered by balanced scoring. Nico Abarquez led the Bulldogs with 19 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, while Jelo Marquez added 16 points and six assists and repeatedly broke down UST's defense off the dribble. Aaron Villamor anchored the interior with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Ken San Juan provided the decisive drive in the closing seconds.

For UST, Rafael Sicat finished with a game-high 21 points, mixing three-point shooting wit