UST knocks out UP, sets up finals date with Ateneo

University of Santo Tomas forward Rhenz Abando goes for a layup against University of the Philippines' Noah Webb.

University of Santo Tomas has continued its Cinderella run all the way to the finals of the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament.

The Growling Tigers fashioned out a thrilling 68-65 victory over University of the Philippines on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena, completing a two-game sweep of their stepladder series.

Renzo Subido hit the biggest shot of the game, a long three-pointer with 23 seconds remaining over the outstretched arms of UP center Bright Akhuetie, that put the Tigers up for good.

UST controlled the game for the first three quarters, before the Fighting Maroons came roaring back in the fourth. Kobe Paras put UP up by four, 65-61, with a dunk with two minutes remaining. But UST quickly countered back with a Rhenz Abando layup to keep within striking distance, 65-63.

The two teams exchanged fruitless possessions, before Subido broke the silence with his clutch bomb.

Renzo Subido nailed the go-ahead three-pointer with 23 seconds left.

UP had a pair of point blank looks, but was unable to convert in the next play. The Fighting Maroons sent season Most Valuable Player Soulemane Chabi Yo to the line, where he coolly nailed both free throws to give UST the three-point lead.

James Spencer had one final shot for the Fighting Maroons, but his three-pointer failed to hit the mark.

The España squad earlier forced a do-or-die match with an 89-69 rout of the Fighting Maroons on Sunday.

UST will do battle with two-time defending champion Ateneo, which earlier booked an automatic ticket to the title round after a 14-0 sweep in the eliminations.

The two universities will face off in the finals for the first time since 2012, when the Blue Eagles won the last of five straight UAAP titles. —JST, GMA News