The University of Santo Tomas-Builders Warehouse kept their title hopes alive in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup as they thwarted the St. Clare-Adalem Construction, 98-93, on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Kean Baclaan scored 24 of his 35 points in the Growling Tigers' fiery second half barrage, shooting three treys on top of five assists and three rebounds as the No. 6 seed stayed alive in its quarterfinal duel with St. Clare.
It was Baclaan who also kept Builders Warehouse-UST on the driver's seat, turning a close 81-80 game into a seven-point lead, 92-85, with 3:34 left.
"Nagkakaunawaan na ang mga bata. Maganda na ang samahan namin and we embraced yung system namin," said interim coach Albert Alocillo as the Growling Tigers stretched their win streak to four straight games.
Cebuano standout Nic Cabanero added 25 points and four boards, Sherwin Concepcion chimed in a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Paul Manalang contributed 12 points, three boards, and three dimes in the triumph.
Builders Warehouse-UST will try to finish the job off on Wednesday in a do-or-die duel. The winner plays early semifinalist and No.2 seed EcoOil-La Salle.
Meanwhile, Juan Gomez de Liano and Jollo Go propelled fourth-seed Marinerong Pilipino to the semifinals with a 75-66 victory over Centro Escolar University in the other quarterfinals match.
Gomez de Liano tallied 17 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds while Go nailed three treys for 17 points and grabbed two boards in the win.