MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATED) University of Santo Tomas (UST) has just proven that its first-round triumph over Far Eastern University (FEU) was no fluke.

Behind another big game from their veteran backcourt, a career-best outing from Zach Huang, and a breakout performance from rookie big man Germy Mahinay, the Growling Tigers brought down the Tamaraws, 78-70, on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was UST’s third consecutive triumph of the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament, hiking their record to 4-4. Moreover, it gave them a sweep of the Tamaraws this year: they stunned their traditional rivals, 76-74, in the first round.

“We played well. Again, we executed our game plan. Lumabas ang mga laro ng mga bata. We're grateful na kung ano 'yung mga pinaghandaan namin, lumalabas sa laro,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo, who has now matched the win total that his predecessor, Boy Sablan, compiled over the past two years.

Huang fired a career-best 20 points, making five of his eight field goals and 10 of 13 free throws, while grabbing six rebounds. Veteran guards Marvin Lee and Renzo Subido combined for 31 points, making a combined five three-pointers.

And the rookie Mahinay held his own inside the paint, scoring 10 points while grabbing eight rebounds in a strong performance.

“Maganda ang nilaro namin kasi nakasandal kami sa sistema. Binigyan kami ng magandang opportunity ni coach, at kung ano pinapagawa niya, ginagawa lang namin,” said the young Mahinay.

• READ: UP's Bright Akhuetie ahead of the pack in UAAP 81 MVP race

UST held a slim lead in the first half, but the Tamaraws tied the game at 49 to end the third quarter, then grabbed a 51-49 advantage early in the fourth off an LJ Gonzales lay-up. Back-to-back triples by Lee pushed UST back on top, 55-51, before a Wendel Comboy jumper and a split at the line by Gonzales made it a one-point game, 55-54, with still 7:21 left to play.

It turned out to be the last time that the Tamaraws threatened. Off a missed lay-up by Subido, Huang outworked everyone for the rebound and the putback, kickstarting a 10-0 run that gave them an 11-point cushion, 65-54, with under four minutes to play.

Everyone contributed for UST in the rally, with rookie CJ Cansino assisting on a wide-open triple by Subido, Mahinay completing an and-1, and Huang draining the jumper that gave them the double-digit cushion.

Two straight three-pointers by Arvin Tolentino -- back in action for FEU after a one-game suspension -- trimmed the lead to seven points, 67-60, with under three minutes left. But the Tigers were quick to respond through a Mahinay bucket, and the Tams were unable to make a run in the closing stretch.

“Long way to go, long way to go. We can't be contented with these wins,” said Ayo.

FEU saw its three-game winning streak halted. To make matters worse for the Tamaraws, they lost Tolentino to a disqualifying foul with just 15 seconds left in the game, after the veteran forward was caught hitting Huang above the neck in an attempt to foul.

This was already Tolentino’s second disqualifying foul in Season 81.

Richard Escoto led FEU with 12 points. Tolentino finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds before he was thrown out of the game. Prince Orizu had 8 points and 12 boards, but the veteran Comboy was held to only 5 points on a woeful 2-of-12 clip.

FEU, the league’s best three-point shooting team entering this game, made only 3 of their 19 attempts from beyond the arc. They dropped to 5-3 this year.

The scores:

UST 78 – Huang 20, Lee 17, Subido 14, Mahinay 10, Cansino 5, Bataller 4, Caunan 2, Marcos 2, Bonleon 2, Cosejo 2, Zamora 0, Agustin 0

FEU 70 – Escoto 12, Tolentino 11, Orizu 8, Stockton 8, Gonzales 7, Cani 6, Ebona 6, Comboy 5, Parker 3, Inigo 2, Bayquin 2, Tuffin 0

Quarter scores: 23-19, 37-33, 49-49, 78-70

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