By: Joaquin Cortez
Behind a career performance from Karylle Sierba, the University of Santo Tomas preserved its perfect start with a dominant fourth-quarter effort to beat Ateneo de Manila University, 90-67, and secure its fifth straight win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Sierba erupted for a career-high 35 points, four rebounds, and six steals without committing a turnover in 22 minutes and 46 seconds of action, eclipsing her previous personal best of 23 points, which she recorded against Adamson University on Oct. 3.
Her scoring outburst also established a new single-game scoring record in the Season 89 women’s tournament, surpassing Kacey Dela Rosa’s 31-point performance against National University, also on Oct. 3.
“‘Yung opensa naman, hindi ko naman masyadong iniisip ‘yun and darating talaga ito kapag para sa’yo,” said Sierba following Saturday’s performance. “I’m happy lang kasi ‘di ko talaga in-expect ‘to and naglalaro lang ako at walang iniisip kundi makatulong sa team. So, super happy lang.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
With the victory, the Growling Tigresses extended their elimination-round winning streak to 21 games and improved to 5-0. Ateneo, meanwhile, slipped to 2-3.
After a tightly contested opening quarter, Sierba caught fire in the second, pouring in 20 points in the first half to help UST build a 10-point cushion, 44-34.
The Blue Eagles continued to fight back, however, as Kailah Oani buried a triple before halftime to trim Ateneo’s deficit to seven, 45-38.
Ateneo kept the pressure on in the third quarter, with Dela Rosa hitting a layup to cut the deficit to six midway through the period, 59-53. Barby Dajao’s free throw, however, helped UST maintain its cushion at 66-58 heading into the final quarter.
With UST holding a 66-61 lead, the Tigresses pulled away in the fourth with a decisive 20-3 run. Sierba highlighted the surge with a layup that broke Dela Rosa’s season-high scoring mark and stretched UST’s lead to 16, 80-64.
The Growling Tigresses sustained their assault down the stretch, with Gin Relliquette capping the run with a layup to put the game out of reach with four minutes remaining and preserve UST’s unbeaten record.
“It was a total team effort plus the heroics of Sierba. Hindi ko nga alam na 35 points na pala siya,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong of Sierba’s breakout performance. “She just kept grinding every time na pinapasok ko siya, so kudos to Karylle.
“Of course, ‘yung defense din namin, it tells a lot, and then ‘yung pace namin is what keeps us going nung last quarter and of course, team defense talaga,” she added.
Erinn McAlary was the Tigresses’ second-leading scorer, matching her career-high with 14 points to go with five rebounds and two blocks while also finishing without a turnover. Nigerian center Oma Onianwa added a near double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Dela Rosa still recorded a double-double for Ateneo despite finishing with a season-low 20 points, adding 13 rebounds and two blocks. Alyssa Rodriguez chipped in 14 points and six rebounds.
Both teams will return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. UST will look to keep its perfect run intact against De La Salle University at 11 a.m., while Ateneo takes on Adamson University at 5 p.m.
The Scores:
UST 90 – Sierba 35, McAlary 14, Onianwa 12, Santos 7, C. Danganan 6, Relliquette 4, Ambos 4, Bron 2, Boteros 2, Dajao 2, Maglupay 2, Pescador 0, Tate 0, K. Danganan 0.
Ateneo 67 – Dela Rosa 20, Rodriguez 14, Calago 10, Oani 8, Potter 4, H. Lopez 3, Cruza 3, Cancio 3, De Luna 2, L. Lopez 0, Udal 0, Hagedorn 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 45-38, 66-58, 90-67.
