By: Jerod Orcullo
University of Santo Tomas refuses to bow out just yet.
With their backs against the wall, the Growling Tigresses roared back to life, escaping the Pilipinas Aguilas, 69-64, in a thrilling Game 2 to force a winner-take-all showdown in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational Tournament Finals, Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
With stars Kent Pastrana and Eka Soriano struggling to find their rhythm, the Growling Tigresses leaned on unlikely heroes Oma Onianwa and Rachelle Ambos — who both delivered clutch performances to keep UST’s championship hopes alive in the tournament supported by Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and the MPBL Partylist.
(C) WMPBL
Onianwa made her presence felt on both ends in the final seconds. She sank a crucial floater to stretch their slim 67-64 lead to 69-64 with just 17 seconds left, then capped her night with a game-saving block on Melody Cac’s three-point attempt.
The Nigerian center, who was held to just six points in their 86-95 double-overtime loss in Game 1, bounced back with a game-high 17 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.
Ambos, meanwhile, came out of nowhere after logging only four minutes and two points in the series opener. She erupted for 13 points on a blazing 71-percent shooting clip, stepping up big as Pastrana was limited to eight points — though she hauled down 12 rebounds — and Soriano managed just one point.
“Syempre proud na bumawi. Actually nung first game nandun din naman ‘yung effort and energy namin. Alam naman natin ‘yung Game 1 very heartbreaking loss kasi it could have gone either way,” said UST head coach Ged Austria.
“Sobrang proud na nanalo ngayon, but of course kahit nanalo kami this game, there’s still a lot more work to do. Things to improve on, marami. Kitang kita naman, which is pagaaralan namin bukas,” he added.
Karylle Sierba chipped in 12 points, while CJ Maglupay flirted with a double-double performance with eight points and 12 rebounds. UST clawed back from an 11-point deficit in the first half to force a deciding Game 3.
With everything on the line, UST and the Pilipinas Aguilas will battle in a winner-take-all finale on Wednesday at 6:00 PM, again at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
(C) WMPBL
On the other side, Aguilas stars Alexis Pana, Elaine Etang, and Mar Prado turned in solid outings but lacked support, leading to their first loss in the tournament backed by sponsors Uratex, Discovery Suites, Red Dynasty, Gotobox, Gerry’s Grill, Prettiest, Team Graphitee, Evo Performance Helmets, Ryzen Helmets, Katinko, Dorayd, Sogo Hotel, Global Bosny Manufacturing, and Bavin.
Pana filled up the stat sheet with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals, and one block, while Etang and Prado chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The Scores:
UST 69 – Onianwa 17, Ambos 13, Sierba 12, Maglupay 8, Pastrana 8, Pescador 4, Reliquette 4, Danganan 2, Soriano 1, Bron 0, Tacatac 0.
Pilipinas Aguilas 64 – Pana 17, Etang 14, Prado 12, Apag 8, Cabinbin 5, Adesguna 2, Guytingco 2, Omopia 2, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 18-15, 35-26, 54-46, 69-64
