Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Basketball

Karylle Sierba delivers fiery fourth to lift UST for ‘Ate’ Tacky’s grand exit


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 with the Growling Tigresses’ pursuit of back-to-back titles on the line.

After finding herself held to just two points on 1-of-6 shooting in Game 1, Sierba played a pivotal role in lifting UST to a thrilling 78-68 win over National University in Game 2 of the Season 87 Finals.

The Growling Tigresses force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Teaming up with third-year guard Brigette Santos, Sierba scored 15 of her 18 points in the final period. She shot a perfect 4-of-4 – including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc – to fend off any potential rally from the redemption-seeking Lady Bulldogs.

Sierba ended the game with a career-high tying 18 points on 5-of-8 shooting, adding two rebounds and one steal.

With NU team captain Camille Clarin cutting UST’s lead to 70-65 with 2:56 left, the 18-year-old point guard delivered a clutch three-pointer.

She followed with the game-sealing free throws, keeping UST’s hopes of a back-to-back title alive for the first time since 1996.

UAAP87-WBB-KARYLLE-SIERBA-3369 Karylle Sierba delivers fiery fourth to lift UST for ‘Ate’ Tacky’s grand exit Basketball News UAAP UST  - philippine sports news

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Sierba’s timely emergence and clutch play were especially crucial as three-time UAAP Mythical Five member Kent Pastrana (11 points on 5-of-14 shooting) and graduating sharpshooter Tacky Tacatac (0 points on 0-of-6 shooting) struggled to find their rhythm.

“Kumpyansa lang talaga kasi yung mga ates ko, sobrang nadidikitan at nade-depensahan sila. Parang naisip ko na hindi sila naka-focus sa akin, so ‘yon na yung time para maipakita yung skills ko kung kaya ko makitapat at sabayan sa kanila,” the Mauban, Quezon Province guard shared.

“Ayun nga. Sinasabi samin palagi na yung game namin, para kay Ate Tacky. So para maganda yung exit na maibigay niya sa UST.”

Sierba’s heroics also left the Growling Tigresses’ faithful in awe, and even head coach Haydee Ong felt shocked by how her prized rookie rose to the occasion and played a key role in UST’s title defense bid.

#ReadMore  UAAP 85 WBB: Soriano, UST send UP to the brink, keep top two hopes alive

Regardless of the outcome of Game 3, Ong expressed immense pride in Sierba’s performance.

She noted how the 18-year-old guard already embodied the UST spirit in her first year at the seniors’ level – particularly representing the importance of the Growling Tigresses’ juniors program.

“Very, very proud. Sabi ko nga kay Karylle, you’ll be playing limited minutes pero every time na bubunutin kita, you just make sure that you represent UST very well at ipakita mo kung bakit ka nandito sa UST, at bakit ka produkto ng UST. Napapa-wow ako kay Karylle kanina,” Ong revealed.

Written By

A dreamer from Marikina, a reporter on the sidelines


You May Also Like

ADMU

Nearly every volleyball team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines has either trained overseas or is currently abroad as part of their...

ADMU

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas aims to secure its third consecutive girls’ championship, while National University-Nazareth School sets its sights on a back-to-back title in...

Basketball

Kieffer Alas showed signs of rust during De La Salle-Zobel’s UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Basketball debut last Sunday. In the first four...

Basketball

University of Santo Tomas began its UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Basketball campaign with a loss to National University Nazareth School last Sunday....

Basketball

While the landscape of the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Tournament has significantly shifted, one thing remains constant: National University Nazareth School’s Nigerian center...

ADMU

In the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament last semester, Zane Kallos made a statement to the entire 16-and-under field: he’s more...

Basketball

In a game fitting to inaugurate the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, University of Santo Tomas proved the future is now, overpowering seasoned Discovery,...

Basketball

When the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs step out of their huddles during the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament, which...

Advertisement