The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses barged into the win column of the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament with an 80-73 victory over the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons Saturday morning at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Angel Anies led all scorers with 23 points and she was followed by Misaela Larosa and Candice Magdaluyo who each scored 15 markers today at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
For UST mentor Haydee Ong, it was obvious what the Growling Tigresses lacked in their first two outings. “Yung intensity namin sa depensa kasi we’ve caused yung sa UP a lot of turnovers and I think more pa dapat yung depensa especially sa Wednesday, La Salle kalaban namin,” said Ong.
It was a meek start to the game for the Growling Tigresses as they succumbed to a 35-42 deficit at halftime at the hands of the Lady Maroons.
Things, though, became different after the break as the Growling Tigresses raised their game. A Larosa three-point play allowed UST to be in touching distance next to UP at 51-54. The Growling Tigresses then tied the ballgame courtesy of a Jhenn Angeles basket.
Although a Patricia Pesquera freebie allowed UP to have a 54-56 lead going into the final period, UST had the momentum it needed to push for the win.
An Ann Gandalla shot from beyond the arc finally gave the lead to UST at the start of the fourth quarter. It then became a seesaw game as both teams traded basket after basket.
With over a minute left in the game, Anies set UST on its way with a clutch trey to give the Growling Tigresses a 73-69 lead. While Maan Wong’s free throws made it a one point game, another trey from Anies restored UST’s four point cushion.
The Growling Tigresses were already on their way to win number one in Season 79 and Candice Magdaluyo’s free throws sealed an 80-73 result over the Lady Maroons.
What won the game for the Growling Tigresses was their 11 out of 26 three point shooting and 15 out of 19 free throw shooting. In contrast, the Lady Maroons shot 4 out of 20 from beyond the arc and 13 out of 27 charities.
“Ang panalo lang namin sa UP talaga is we’re making the three point shots tapos ang free throws ng UP they’re not making it,” surmised UST head coach Haydee Ong. “Tapos ang free throw namin maganda. It’s like 80 percent ata eh. At least yung dating aspects ng pangit ang stat namin, medyo naaangat na namin.”
Up next for UST (1-2) will be the De La Salle University Lady Archers on September 21, 10:00AM while UP (0-4) shall face the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles on September 28, 8:00AM. Both games will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Scores:
UST (80) – Anies 23, Larosa 15, Magdaluyo 15, Gandalla 12, Felisarta 5, Angeles 4, Aujero 2, Peñaflor 2, Capilit 2, Portillo 0, Rivera 0, Manuel 0, Jerez 0.
UP (73) – Ordoveza 17, Esplana 16, Aliermo 16, Wong 13, Pesquera 6, Bautista 5, Medina 0, Rodas 0, Lapid 0, Franco 0, Gatpatan 0.
Quarterscores: 20-21, 35-42, 54-56, 80-73
