Sherwin Concepcion caught fire down the stretch as University of Santo Tomas survived University of the East, 74-62, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday, March 31.
The heroics of Concepcion, including two pivotal three-pointers in UST's commanding 21-2 run until the final buzzer, paved the way for the Tigers' first win of the season as the Red Warriors fell to a 0-3 hole.
The 6-foot-3 UST swingman led all scorers with 25 points powered by six triples on an 8-of-11 shooting to go with five rebounds and three assists.
Nic Cabañero, who also provided key plays in the payoff period, posted 12 points and seven rebounds, Christian Manaytay added 12 markers and four rebounds, Bryan Santos had a double-double performance of 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Joshua Fontanilla chipped in eight points paired up with eight assists and four rebounds.
"Sa una talaga, gusto namin makuha 'yong panalo," said UST coach Jinino Manansala. "Nakita namin 'yong lakas namin kaya nakuha namin 'yong panalo."
UST uncorked an 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter before UE's Clint Escamis scored a basket in an attempt to fend off the Tigers and lead by one point, 62-61.
Little did the Warriors know that it would be the last point for them as the Tigers dropped another 13-0 blitz to take the game away.
Cabañero and Concepcion formed a one-two combo for UST's finishing run before Kris Harvey Pagsanjan was called for a costly unsportsmanlike foul with 57.5 seconds to go.
The 6-foot-2 Cabañero put the nail in the coffin after sinking a pair of free throws for the win.
Aurin Catacutan spearheaded the Warriors with 17 points and five rebounds while Pagsanjan contributed 10 markers and three rebounds.
UST rides on momentum when it clashes with Adamson on Saturday, April 2 at 4 p.m. while UE hopes to end its skid against University of the Philippines at their 1 p.m. encounter.