After a 60-85 setback at the hands of National University Thursday which pretty much affected the morale of the team, the only way for University of Santo Tomas to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot was to respond with a sense of urgency.
The Tigresses did, using a 24-7 fourth quarter onslaught to stun Ateneo de Manila University, 67-53 in the UAAP Season 78 women’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Tigresses showed the aggressiveness and killer instinct in the payoff period, scoring inside several times and attacking constantly to get free throw attempts which widened the gap.
UST closed the match on a 17-3 run, limiting Ateneo to only a single field goal in over five minutes. UST took advantage of 38 Ateneo turnovers which they turned into 32 extra points. The Espana side also 14 more free throw conversions, 20-6.
The Lady Eagles took a 21-11 lead early in the match as they controlled the glass well, leading to transition baskets which UST was not able to stop. Ateneo had a 20-3 lead in fastbreak points.
Hazelle Yam, Kristina Deacon, and Danica Jose joined hands for Ateneo, and later on gave the team a 44-34 edge in the third quarter after 9 unanswered points.
But that was when UST switched to a zone defense and all applied pressure to force turnovers. Misaela Larosa and Maica Cortes then attacked the paint, giving UST a 54-50 cushion halfway in the fourth.
Free throws by Candice Magdaluyo added to the UST lead, 57-50 before Yam cut the drought momentarily, 57-52.
That basket however was Ateneo’s last field goal make as Larosa and Magdaluyo continued to add points from the stripe, handing UST the win.
The Tigresses improved to 5-5 to be in solo third in the tight race in the middle. Ateneo fell to 4-6 in a tie from 4th-5th with University of the East.
Magdaluyo and Larosa each scored 12 points for UST while Cortes had a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Yam and Jose led Ateneo with 23 points and 13 rebounds combined.
The Scores:
UST Â (67) – Magdaluyo 14, Larosa 14, Cortes 12, Angeles 8, Isanan 7, Jerez 4, Penaflor 3, Brillante 2, Gandalla 2, Felisarta 1, Anies 0, Pernia 0, Capilit 0.
ADMU (53) – Yam 12, Jose 11, Buendia 10, Deacon 10, Guytingco 5, Javier 2, Posadas 2, Lamar 1, Go 0, Aseron 0, Tomita 0.
Quarterscores: 8-12, 25-32, 43-46, 67-53.
