Tigers fan Final Four hopes, streak to 3rd straight win

MANILA, Philippines -- The UST Growling Tigers roared in the fourth quarter to run away with an emphatic 63-39 victory over winless UP Fighting Maroons Saturday in the UAAP Season 76 men's basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Tigers stringed together a 12-0 run bridging the final moments of the third and the first four minutes of the payoff period turning a close game, 36-33, to a huge 15-point bubble.

Aljon Mariano pumped in a double-double of 18 points and 10 boards to pace the Tigers, who won their third straight and improved to solo fourth with a 7-5 record, half game ahead of the idle Ateneo Blue Eagles, who holds a 6-5 card.

Karim Abdul was a sorry sight on offense but more than made up for it by grabbing 21 rebounds. His two free throws jumpstarted a 15-2 finishing kick by the Tigers, who outscored the Maroons, 23-6, in the fourth.

UP remained winless in 12 games.