Despite falling short of the championship, there is no shame in losing in the UAAP Finals.
That was the message from University of Santo Tomas head coach Haydee Ong to her Growling Tigresses, who fought valiantly until the end but were ultimately outmatched by a determined National University squad in a thrilling three-game Finals series.
After a 38-all deadlock at halftime, the Lady Bulldogs surged to a commanding 65-50 lead heading into the final period.
The situation seemed eerily similar to UST’s Cinderella run in Season 86 – a Game 3 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, trailing by double digits entering the fourth quarter, and even donning the same dark-colored uniforms.
The signs were there for the Growling Tigresses to pull off another historic comeback.
UST mounted a late rally, cutting the deficit to just five points, 70-75, with 1:45 left, fueled by a nine-point spurt from CJ Maglupay, Karylle Sierba, and Tacky Tacatac.
However, unlike last season, UST couldn’t complete the turnaround.
The Lady Bulldogs held on to their lead, keeping their composure and poise in the final moments to claim the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball title, 78-73, on Sunday.
“I told the girls lang na leave it all sa dugout. Paglabas namin, heads up kami kasi it was a great season. It could have gone either way, pwedeng UST mag-champion, pero unfortunately, we were unable to get it this year. But it’s a great season for my whole team talaga, nothing to be ashamed of,” shared the long-time Growling Tigresses mentor.
“Last interview I mentioned that whatever happens in Game 3, I will be very very proud of my girls and for this game, nakita niyo naman na hanggang sa dulo, lumaban kami. Unfortunately, we fell short, but again, I am so proud of my girls for this season.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
When Ong took over as head coach of UST in 2016, the Growling Tigresses were consistently dominated by the Lady Bulldogs.
However, those blowout losses didn’t deter Ong from transforming UST into a team capable of competing with one of the most successful women’s basketball programs in the country, National University – who won their eighth UAAP title in nine seasons and continues to be home to top Gilas Women players.
“Siguro number one, happy ako because of the impact that we’ve created – the UST-NU rivalry for the women’s community, ang dami nanood today, I’m very happy with that,” the WMPBL commissioner shared.
She went on, “With regards kung nasaan na kami against NU, I think for the past how many years I’ve been in the Final Four [and] third time in the past six years that I’ve been in the finals, so I think na nandoon talaga yung programa ng UST to be competitive every season and I’m so proud of that.”
With the rivalry between the Lady Bulldogs and the Growling Tigresses setting the standard for UAAP women’s basketball, Ong believes their success has pushed the other six teams to elevate their own programs.
For Ong, the shared success between UST and NU marks a significant milestone in the growth of the sport – something she hopes will continue for decades to come.
“I think now that UST and NU have set the bar for women’s basketball, and I think all of the schools as well are doing the same thing, uplifting their women’s program. I am an advocate for women empowerment in women’s basketball,” the former national team head coach expressed.
“I am so happy that every season, all the teams are leveling up their skills and program for women’s basketball.”
