Ateneo de Manila University was leading big against the University of Santo Tomas (UST), 52-42, at the end of the third quarter.

The situation seemed like another imminent victory for the Loyola-based squad when UST’s Kevin Ferrer scored a series of three-point shots to help the Growling Tigers catch up and tie the score at 57 with only three minutes and 14 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Tight defense and Abdul’s strong endgame push eventually turned around the game for UST, upsetting the Blue Eagles, 68-58, thereby giving UST its fourth win and a share of the lead in the first round of UAAP Season 78 Men’s Basketball.

IN PHOTOS: UST climbs from 16 down, steals fourth win from Ateneo

UST coach Bong dela Cruz said Ferrer’s strong performance in the last quarter was a big boost.

“Noong first three quarters, flat kami. Nakatulong nang malaki ang mga three-point shots ni Kevin,” the sophomore coach said.

Dela Cruz also revealed that Kevin was actually nursing a fever during the game but he urged him to fight for the team.

“Paggising ko kaninang umaga, masama ang pakiramdam ko,” Ferrer admitted during the post-game interview. “Pero awa ng Diyos, binigyan Niya ako ng strength.”

Ferrerfinished with 27 points, nine rebounds, six triples, one steal, and one block. Other top scorers for UST were Ed Daquioag with nine points and Marvin Lee with eight points.

“Everybody played tight defense during the last 12 minutes,” said de la Cruz. He described the Tigers “not [as] a team, but a family.”

Von Pessumal and Kiefer Ravena, meanwhile, led Ateneo with 19 points and 13 points, respectively, but they misfired heavily in the fourth quarter wherein the Blue Eagles made only one shot from the field.

UST’s next game will be against the De La Salle Green Archers on Wednesday, September 30.

IN PHOTOS: UST climbs from 16 down, steals fourth win from Ateneo