Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Haydee Ong grateful for UST patience after years of beatdowns from NU


Haydee Ong has come full circle.

Ong was the lead guard of UST’s women’s basketball team that won four straight UAAP titles from Seasons 50 to 53.

And today, she has delivered the crown back to España.

The former national team head coach, who only came back home to UST back in 2016, was lost for words as her long odyssey finally ended on Wednesday.

“This will go down for the books, especially for UST. The last time we had our championship was 2006,” said Ong.

Ong also previously coached Ateneo from 2008 to 2015.

During that time, Ong saw the rise of the National University women’s program.

From season 77, the Lady Bulldogs have been the gold standard in the sport – not only winning championships, but also developing future national team stalwarts.

UAAP86-WBB-Awarding-1st-Runner-UP-NU-6754 Haydee Ong grateful for UST patience after years of beatdowns from NU Basketball News UAAP UST  - philippine sports news

“I think that says a lot to the level that NU raised the bar for women’s basketball seven times.

“Seven consecutive years as champions is one hell of a program for them. Beating them today and never giving up, I think that says a lot about these special ladies that they deserve to be champions for Season 86,” shared Ong.

It needed a special team to knock off the Lady Bulldogs from their throne. And that was this batch of Growling Tigresses.

Reigning MVP Eka Soriano took a back seat for former DLSU Lady Archer Kent Pastrana.

Tantoy Ferrer and Tacky Tacatac provided stability to the young Tigresses.

Moreover, it was Nikki Villasin proving her pedigree that became the kicker – she made the title-clinching bucket in Game Three.

#ReadMore  UAAP 86 Tennis: UST weathers Ledama's loss, downs Ateneo

UAAP-82-WBB-Finals-G2-NU-vs.-UST-Haydee-Ong-5862 Haydee Ong grateful for UST patience after years of beatdowns from NU Basketball News UAAP UST  - philippine sports news

“I’m telling you, hindi ako makatawid ng bola sa NU,” said Ong. “Ang lamang nila parati sa akin, 70, 80, but I never gave up. Sabi ko, I will start the program for UST and that this is a long journey.

“We were three or four years behind, sinabi ko sa mga pari and you have to trust the program, the system, and finally the long wait is over. Ang sarap ng feeling especially as coach.”

After ending NU’s reign, UST now has a target on its back.

And there will be no rest as the Growling Tigresses will now be hunted for their crown.

UAAP86-WBB-Awarding-Champion-UST-6808 Haydee Ong grateful for UST patience after years of beatdowns from NU Basketball News UAAP UST  - philippine sports news

“Maraming madadagdag. There are high school players coming up as well,” she said, already plotting how to keep the crown.

“Ang mawawala lang sa akin sila Tantoy at si Nikki. Hopefully, yung mga papalit ay makakatulong ulit sa team next season.”

Written By

Lorenzo's a frustrated author who knows a thing or two about Football and Basketball. Went all green from Ortigas to Taft. Supports Liverpool FC, FC Bayern Munich and the Alaska Aces


You May Also Like

Basketball

University of Santo Tomas’ aspirations of going for back-to-back championships in the UAAP women’s basketball division came crashing down after National University regained the...

Basketball

Crown Retrieved. Redemption Achieved. National University erased the heartbreak of last year, securing the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball championship with a 78-73...

Basketball

On Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, University of Santo Tomas’ quest to defend its title was on the brink of ending....

Basketball

University of Santo Tomas homegrown talent Karylle Sierba refused to let a subpar performance in her UAAP women’s basketball finals debut affect her, especially...

Basketball

Brigette Santos delivered a career-defining performance in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Finals, leading defending champion University of Santo Tomas...

Basketball

Defending champion University of Santo Tomas’ quest to retain the UAAP women’s basketball crown may have encountered a setback, but Growling Tigresses star Kent...

Basketball

National University is on the verge of reclaiming the championship that was once theirs: the UAAP Women’s Basketball title. The Lady Bulldogs displayed their...

Basketball

Finals MVP Tantoy Ferrer left a significant void in University of Santo Tomas after leading the Growling Tigresses to their first UAAP title in...

Advertisement