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 being 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, forcing 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, shooting 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, followed by game-sealing free throws, keeping UST’s hopes of a back-to-back title alive for the first time since 1996.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Her 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 naddepensahan sila. Parang naisip ko na hindi sila nakafocus 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,” she continued.
Sierba’s heroics left the Growling Tigresses’ faithful in awe, and even head coach Haydee Ong was shocked by how her prized rookie rose to the occasion and played a key role in UST’s title defense bid.
Regardless of the outcome of Game 3, Ong expressed immense pride in Sierba’s performance, noting 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.
