By: Joaquin Cortez
University of Santo Tomas overpowered Adamson University, 83-65, to capture its second straight win in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
With the win, the Growling Tigresses improved to 2-0 ahead of their rivalry clash against National University and extended their winning streak in elimination-round games to 19, dating back to Season 87 in 2024. Meanwhile, the Lady Falcons dropped to 0-2.
Karylle Sierba paced UST with 20 points and three steals, followed by Coi Danganan with 15 points and four rebounds. Agatha Bron chipped in 13 points for the Growling Tigresses.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“In today’s game, we didn’t really play the pace that we wanted, which is ‘yung pace na faster,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said. “We changed our defense in the second half, and I think ‘yung zone defense namin nagkaroon ng hard time ‘yung Adamson … but we’ll go back to the board, see our mistakes, and correct them.”
Adamson gave the defending champions a fight in the opening half, keeping the Growling Tigresses within striking distance as Brianna Bajo and Danganan traded three-pointers before UST took a 44-36 lead into the break.
The Growling Tigresses began to pull away in the third quarter, outscoring Adamson, 23-16, to build a 15-point cushion heading into the final frame, 67-52.
UST then turned up the pressure defensively, holding the Lady Falcons scoreless for nearly three minutes as Brig Santos knocked down a midrange jumper to stretch the Growling Tigresses’ lead to 19, 71-52.
The Tigresses kept Adamson at bay throughout the final frame, with Oma Oniawa’s free throw putting the game further out of reach with over two minutes remaining as UST cruised to the victory.
“Kailangan lang po naming mas maging consistent sa effort namin. ’Di po kasi consistent ang defense and offense,” Danganan said. “Sabi nga sa amin ni Coach Haydee, ‘Sabayan mo namin ang pace nila and it’s not our pace.’ So next game, we’ll do our best to get our pace namin.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UST did not fully impose its preferred fast-paced game, finishing with 16 fastbreak points against Adamson’s five. The Growling Tigresses also committed 25 turnovers, but the Lady Falcons were even more errant with 29.
Cheska Apag led Adamson with 19 points and three steals, while Elaine Etang added 13 points, five rebounds, and six assists.
The Growling Tigresses will next face last season’s finals foes, the Lady Bulldogs, on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Adamson will look to bounce back against the University of the Philippines on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
UST 83 – Sierba 20, C. Danganan 15, Bron 13, Santos 9, Onianwa 7, Maglupay 6, Ambos 5, Pescador 3, McAlary 3, K. Danganan 2, Relliquette 0, Tate 0, Boteros, 0.
Adamson 65 – Apag 19, Etang 13, Adeshina 8, Munoz 6, Meniano 5, Bajo 3, Carcallas 3, Limbago 2, Manlimos 2, Burgos 2, Medina 2, Alaba 0, Mazo 0, Cortez 0.
Quarterscores: 23-15, 44-36, 67-52, 83-65.
