Forthsky Padrigao showed nerves of steel as University of Santo Tomas survived National University, 67-64, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Sept. 21.

Padrigao, who finished with eight points and five assists, drilled a stepback jumper at the top of the key with 29 seconds left to spoil Steve Nash Enriquez and Jake Figueroa’s second-half heroics for the Bulldogs.

With the victory, UST improved to 3-1 for third place while NU dropped to 1-3.

Mo Tounkara and Nic Cabanero also starred especially down the stretch for the Pido Jarencio-mentored squad when NU was making a run in the fourth quarter.

Tounkara topscored with 15 points along with 10 rebounds while Cabanero added 10. Christian Manaytay also finished with double digits of 14 points.

Enriquez and Figueroa conspired for 28 points but were not enough to pull their team to victory.

Enriquez and Kenshin Padrones caught fire from deep and carried NU to a 47-39 cushion – its largest lead throughout the game – heading into the final frame.

Though the momentum was on the side of NU entering the fourth period, UST rose to the occasion with Manaytay and Tounkara then Padrigao sinking key baskets to make it 61-60 with under three minutes left.

From a fierce exchange that saw them switch places in the driver’s seat, Padrigao nailed the biggest of all to make it a three-point lead.

Adamson tried to extend the affair but Figueroa missed his two attempts.

Meanwhile in the battle of undefeated women’s squads, NU (4-0) prevailed over UST (3-1), 75-69.

Jainaba Konateh, who only played 15 minutes, impressed with 17 points and nine rebounds while Angelica Surada tallied a double-double output of 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs.

In the second duel, Adamson (3-1) climbed up the ladder and tied UST in the standings as it turned back Ateneo (2-2), 77-72.