By: Joaquin Cortez
University of Santo Tomas used a strong second half to beat De La Salle University, 83-62, and move closer to a first-round sweep in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the win, the Growling Tigresses extended their perfect run to six games, while the Lady Archers absorbed their fourth consecutive loss to fall to 1-5.
“We have to be consistent on both ends of the court. If medyo malas kami sa opensa, at least dapat hindi rin nakaka-score ang kalaban namin,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said. “Every quarter, we wanted na dapat palagi kami ‘yung lamang and hopefully ma-sustain ng mga girls ‘cause all the teams ay tina-target kami so we have to do better every single game.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Tigresses will look to complete a first-round sweep for the second straight year when they face the University of the Philippines on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 12 p.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Lady Archers remained within striking distance of the defending champions, with Bukky Ojo converting a layup to cut La Salle’s deficit to just one, 28-27. However, UST responded with a 10-0 run, capped by CJ Maglupay’s and-one conversion, to stretch its lead to 11, 38-27.
Karylle Sierba then drilled a three-pointer to keep La Salle at bay before halftime, as UST took a 40-32 lead into the break.
La Salle struggled to score in the opening three minutes of the third quarter before Aiesha Dizon converted her free throws to trim the deficit to nine, 44-35.
UST gradually pulled away in the third quarter, with Sierba pouring in 11 points to help the Growling Tigresses maintain control. Agatha Bron then knocked down a triple before the buzzer to give UST a 62-49 advantage heading into the final period.
The Growling Tigresses delivered the finishing blows early in the fourth quarter, unleashing a 10-3 run capped by Oma Onianwa’s putback layup to extend their lead to 21, 73-52, with just over five minutes remaining.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“The adjustment when La Salle was playing at halftime, doon medyo bumagal ‘yung laro namin, that’s why I emphasized to the girls na before maka-set-up ang La Salle, we should run and have the advantage on our transition offense,” said Ong. “Yung defense namin, I think we just got outrebounded, and we have to check on that for our next game against UP.”
Four UST players scored in double figures, led by Sierba, who finished with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals. CJ Maglupay added 14 points and four steals.
Brig Santos chipped in 12 points and four assists, while Bron contributed 11 points and three assists.
Meanwhile, Nigerian big Bukky Ojo paced the Lady Archers with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. Kyla Go added 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
La Salle will look to snap its losing streak against National University on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 12 p.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Scores:
UST 83 – Sierba 20, Maglupay 14, Santos 12, Bron 11, McAlary 9, Onianwa 7, Dajao 5, Ambos 3, C. Danganan 2, Relliquette 0, Pescador 0, K. Danganan 0, Boteros 0, Tate 0.
DLSU 62 – Ojo 21, Go 10, A. Dizon 9, Barcierto 6, Villapando 6, S. Dizon 4, Lubrico 2, Villarin 2, Sunga 1, Anastacio 1, Araza 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12, 40-33, 62-49, 83-62.
