#PinoyligaCupFinals: UST retains 40UP-A title after squeaking past San Beda-Vittos

In a game that lived up to the billing, UST took down San Beda-Vittos to rule the 40UP-Division A of the Pinoyliga Alumni Cup, after a pulsating 68-67 victory last February 1 at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City.

What was going to be a total domination by the SSI-backed Growling Tigers turned into a catfight as the Red Lions nearly got the comeback of the season but the former held firm in the end game to defend their title from last season.

Rommel David took over when it mattered, as he poured in 23 points on a 50% clip from the field to nab the finals MVP award, fending off a huge scare by Richie Melencio who carried San Beda on his back.

The former Laguna Laker showed it by firing in for 28, waxing hot after being held to just a point in the opening frame.

UST thought that they have the title on their grasp in the first half when they locked up San Beda to just seven first-quarter points, and even led by as much as twenty in the process.

But Melencio and two-time Finals MVP Shin Dela Cruz put up an improved game give San Beda hope, in which the former had the golden chance to put the game into overtime with virtually no time left.

However, fate will not be on the Mendiola side of things, with Melencio buckled under pressure as he missed the last of his three free throws, breathing a sigh of relief for the alumni from Espana.

The scores:

UST-SSI 68 -- David 23, Agleron 12, Kaw 8, Yee 8, Reyes, 5, Dytiandu 5 Ong 4, Ballesteros 2, Ang 1, Javier 0, Del Rosario 0, Ortiz 0

San Beda-Vittos 67 -- Melencio 28, Dela Cruz 18, Oliveros 13, Capistrano 7, Manalo 1, McCoy 0, Santos 0, Cristobal 0, Agarao 0, Nabiula 0, Bernarte 0

Quarter scores: 22-7, 36-19, 53-44, 68-67

Photo by Pinoyliga Cup