University of Santo Tomas erased a nine-point deficit behind the efforts of Sherwin Concepcion and Nic Cabañero to thwart De La Salle and rule the UAAP Season 84 men's 3x3 basketball Finals at the CaSoBe Resort in Calatagan, Batangas Friday, June 3.
Concepcion and Cabañero connived midway through the game and hit thrice from deep to pump life for the Growling Tigers.
Leading only by a point, 18-17, Ben Phillips responded with a two-pointer of his own to put the Green Archers on the cusp of winning the title.
But Cabañero showed steely nerves and fired another one from beyond the arc before Concepcion iced the game with a game-winning deuce with 2:15 left.
Concepcion, who was hailed Finals Most Valuable Player, finished with 12 points, all from deep, while Cabañero had four points. Royce Mantua and Bryan Santos complete UST's champion cast.
"Unang three to four minutes, nag-relax kami. Sinabihan ko 'yong teammates ko na lumaban tayo, para ito sa UST community," said Concepcion, who was recently added to the Gilas Pilipinas' pool. "Sobrang saya na napasok ko. Lagi ko pinagdarasal 'yon at lahat binibigay ko sa UST."
The 3x3 title comes after a dismal showing on the 5-on-5 scene where the Tigers ended up in seventh place with three wins and 11 losses.
The win also marked UST's first basketball title since 2006 or Season 69 as the 3x3 became an official sport in Season 82.
Earlier in the semifinals, De La Salle survived fourth-seeded National University with a 19-17 win.
Donn Lim and Phillips tallied seven points apiece for the Green Archers while JM Crisostomo also spearheaded the Bulldogs with seven points.
UST, for its part, made quick work of University of the Philippines, 21-12, behind Cabañero's hot-shooting.
Cabañero fired 11 points on a 7-of-12 shooting while Concepcion put the finishing touches with 2:55 left and delivered seven points and eight rebounds.