University of Santo Tomas protected its lead this time around, holding off De La Salle University, 80-75, to claim its first win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Growling Tigers bounced back from their opening-night loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, who unleashed a second-half barrage to take the game.
UST and La Salle are now tied at 1-1 in the standings.
With Green Archers Doy Dungo and Luis Pablo and Growling Tiger Koji Buenaflor representing the Philippines in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya starting Monday, both teams will take a two-week break before returning to action on September 30 at the same venue.
UST will face the University of the East at 3 p.m., while La Salle will take on Far Eastern University at 5:30 p.m.
