UST Ends 24-Year Title Drought, Claims UAAP High School Crown

The UST Tiger Cubs have finally reclaimed their place atop UAAP high school basketball, defeating NU-Nazareth in an epic Game 3 showdown, 83-77, to win their 12th championship – their first since UAAP Season 64 in 2001-2002.

After years of heartbreak and close calls, UST delivered a performance for the ages, overcoming the heavily favored Bullpups with a stunning victory at the FilOil EcoOil Centre despite trailing the series 0-1 after the opener.

UST was the only team to beat NU-Nazareth this season, doing it once in the elimination round and twice in the finals.

From the opening tip, the Tiger Cubs played with an urgency befitting a team desperate to end a 23-year championship drought.

NU-Nazareth, seeking their fourth title in the last decade, battled fiercely and forced overtime, but UST refused to be denied, taking control in the key moments of the contest.

With their 12th championship, UST re-establishes itself as a high school basketball powerhouse under head coach Manu Inigo, finally putting an end to their years of frustration and heartbreak.