Angeles leads UST above FEU to keep Final Four hopes alive

A place in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four is still possible for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses after they won 62-58 over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.

“As I’ve said sa girls, we have to treat our last four games as one game at a time. Our next mission is Adamson. There’s no time to relax,” commented UST mentor Haydee Ong.

Jhenn Angeles and Shanda Anies scored 18 and 14 points respectively today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Growling Tigresses led as much as 12 points in the first half as they carried with them a 35-25 cushion above the Lady Tamaraws at the break.

FEU was able to trim the deficit to just 40-36 early in the third quarter courtesy of Valerie Mamaril’s trey. However, an 8-2 run capped off by Ann Gandalla extended UST’s lead to 48-38 away from FEU.

The Lady Tamaraws kept on pushing, though, as a Precious Arellado three made it 51-45 before the fourth quarter.

Deep in the fourth quarter, the Lady Tamaraws enacted a 7-0 run ignited by another Arellado three. The Growling Tigresses answered back immediately with Ruby Portillo scoring a trey to produce a 60-56 separation with just 51:0.

FEU then failed to convert in its next possession. At the other end, Portillo converted her free throws to secure the win. In the end, UST prevailed 62-58 from FEU.

Ong explained, “Yung defense namin nag-hold for the last three minutes when FEU was coming back. They have a rally against us. Sabi ko sa girls that it’s important na yung defense namin will hold.”

The España school’s defense won the game as it stole the ball eight times and forced FEU to commit 21 turnovers. UST also shot 38.33 percent while FEU only had 33.33 percent. Yetunde Okunlola paced FEU with 14 points.

Up next for UST (4-7) will be Adamson University on November 9, 8:00 AM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. On the other hand, FEU (3-8) shall face National University on November 5, 8:00 AM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“If we win against Adamson, we’ll have the same ranking if five wins. Talagang we’ll have to win against Adamson to keep our Final Four bid alive,” the veteran coach concluded.

The Scores:

UST (62) – Angeles 18, Anies 14, Larosa 12, Portillo 6, Felisarta 5, Peñaflor 5, Gandalla 2, Magdaluyo 0, Rivera 0.

FEU (58) – Okunlola 14, Arellado 13, Mamaril 8, Gerner 7, Ventura 6, Balleser 5, Ouano 3, Jumuad 2, Capua 0, Vidal 0, Payadon 0.

Quarterscores: 18-15, 35-25, 51-45, 62-58.