MANILA, Philippines -- Kevin Ferrer fired six triples en route to a career-high 27 points as he powered the UST Growling Tigers to a come-from-behind 68-58 win over Ateneo Blue Eagles Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena to grab a share of the top spot in the UAAP Season 78 men's basketball.
The Eagles appeared to have locked the game with a 16-point lead late in the third quarter but Ferrer almost single-handedly brought the Tigers back with his outside sniping.
Ferrer strung up three triples that sandwiched Ed Daquioag's two free throws as the Tigers caught the Eagles, 57-all, with 3:29 left.
Daquioag and Karim Abdul took turns in putting the finishing touches to an epic comeback by the Tigers who caught idle Far Eastern U Tamaraws on top with 4-1 win-loss record.
The Tigers clamped down on the Eagles in the last 12 minutes as they held them to measly six points while exploding for 32 in a complete turnaround.
The Eagles went down to 3-2 as they saw their three-game winning streak snapped.
In the first game, Gelo Alolino waxed hot with 16 points as the defending champion NU Bulldogs continued their surge against the slumping UP Fighting Maroons, 68-52.
The Bulldogs notched their third straight win after opening the season at 0-3. The Marooons, on the other hand, fell to their third straight loss after a 2-0 start.