The Growling Tigers and Golden Stags played a see-saw battle right from the start.

UST appeared headed for a win when it posted a five-point edge with over two minutes left in the first OT.

But that lead suddenly vanished as SSC found a way to extend the game for another five minutes.

The Tigers then fended off the stubborn Stags' repeated comeback attempts in the second OT to register their second win in three outings.

The España-based squad got big contributions from their rookies — Cameroonian center Karim Abdul and last season's UAAP juniors MVP Kevin Ferrer.

Abdul had 23 points and 17 rebounds, while Ferrer tallied 17 markers, seven boards and four assists.

But it was veteran guards Jeric Fortuna and Clark Bautista who helped the Tigers silence the Stags.

Fortuna's three-pointer broke a 95-all count with 2:48 left in the second OT, while Bautista extended the margin to 103-99 with another trey, a wide-open shot from the corner with 42 ticks left.

Abueva led the Stags with 33 points and 18 rebounds, but shot 11-of-28 from the field and committed eight turnovers.

"Hindi din namin masisisi 'yung officiating. May pagkukulang din kami kaya umabot kami sa ganito, but a win is a win," said coach Pido Jarencio, who was so animated for most of the game due to what he thought were some bad calls.

Fortuna finished with 17 points and added four rebounds, while Jeric Teng and Chris Camus scored 14 and 11 each.

In another game, Far Eastern U weathered Adamson's fourth-quarter scoring splurge to kick off its campaign with a 66-61 win.

Cameroon's Pipo Noundou and former National team member JR Cawaling scored 15 and 12 points each, while UAAP MVP RR Garcia ended up with 10 markers.

In the third game, National U stunned NCAA champion San Beda, 83-80, for its second win in as many games. The loss sent the Red Lions down to a 1-2 slate.