GAMES TODAY (Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m.?Adamson vs FEU
4 p.m.?UE vs Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines -- University of Santo Tomas finally found a way to beat De La Salle.

The Tigers staged a miraculous comeback as the Archers? double-digit advantage and confidence fell apart, hacking out an 81-73 overtime triumph yesterday in the UAAP men?s basketball competition at the Araneta Coliseum.

For the second straight time, the Tigers turned to rookie Khasim Mirza, who fired eight of the defending champions? 12 points in the extra period after nailing a triple in a remarkable 12-0 UST rally in the final 1:57 minutes of regulation.

?Even when we were down by 12 points, I told the boys we have to fight up to the last possession,? said coach Pido Jarencio as the Tigers ended their seven-season losing streak against the Archers.

The victory boosted the Tigers to second place in a tie with the Archers at 5-3 at the start of second round action.

The Tigers, who last won over La Salle in Game 1 of the 1999 Finals, also avenged their 90-86 overtime loss to the Archers in the first round.

Mirza finished with 16 points like Jervy Cruz, who also had 18 boards and a season-best seven blocks.

Earlier, the National U Bulldogs made whipping boys anew of the University of the Philippines Maroons with an 85-66 rout for their fourth triumph in eight games.

The Maroons took their eighth straight loss.

In an uncharacteristic meltdown, the Archers threw away a 12-point advantage, 69-57, in the final two minutes of regulation.

A Mirza triple pushed the Tigers within a bucket, 69-67, with 40.8 seconds remaining, and a June Cortez jumper with 6.7 ticks left forged the extra period, 69-69.

As the Archers continued to struggled, Mirza gave the Tigers the lead for good at 76-71.

The scores:
First Game
NU 85?Jahnke 21, Aguilar 16, Salvado 16, Fernandez 9, Asoro 7, Lingao-Lingao 5, Ponferrada 4, Luy 4, Garcia 2, Catamora 1, Galapon 0, Terso 0, Baloran 0, Malagueño 0, Dela Cruz 0..
UP 66?Gamboa 14, Agbayani 13, Co 12, Rivera 6, De Asis 5, Reyes 5, Marfori 4, Serios 4, Lopez 3, Wong 0, Epres 0.
Quarters: 15-12, 42-36, 62-56, 85-66
Second Game
UST 81?Mirza 16, Cruz 16, Ababou 15, Espiritu 14, Cuan 9, Cortez 4, Canlas 3, Dizon 2, Taylor 2, Scott 0, Gile 0, Allera 0.
LA SALLE 73?Casio 20, Villanueva 15, Mangahas 9, Maierhofer 9, Tang 6, Atkins 4, Ferdinand 4, Cua 3, Walsham 2, Ilad 1, Malabes 0, Co 0.
Quarters: 18-19, 29-34, 49-55, 69-69 (reg), 81-73 (OT)