Coming off two straight losses to end their campaign, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses showed grit and determination, fending off the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 86-72, to advance to the semifinals of the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Basketball tournament.
UST will face the University of the East Lady Warriors in the semifinals, with the latter holding a twice-to-beat advantage. Their regular season series ended with a deadlock. The semis begins on Wednesday, November 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“I think from last year, we have overachieved our goals. I’m so proud of the players,” said second-year Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong. “It’s been more than a decade since the Tigresses went to the Finals. It’s our job to do so for the Thomasian community.”
Anjel Anies torched the Lady Tamaraws in the game, scoring a game-high 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting. And she linked up with Sai Larosa in the final frame to put the nail in the coffin for this season’s hosts.
“We had a lot of free throws missed that we have to work on. Also we have to work on our rebounding before our game against UE,” shared Ong. “Our defense held in the last five minutes. We were able to control Mamaril, she went zero-out-of-nine [from the field].”
Though UST were in control for the majority of the contest, the Lady Tamaraws clawed back behind Camille Taguiam. A 5-0 spurt sliced the lead to just eight, 68-76, with 2:57 left.
A timeout by Ong fired up the Tigresses, who locked down on defense to answer right back with an 8-0 spurt sparked by Larosa. With the rally, UST gained a game-high 16-point lead, 84-68, with 1:19 left.
“It’s my last year, gagawin ko talaga yung lahat. Ayaw ko i-let down yung team ko,” said graduating senior Jhenn Angeles, who finished the game with 14 markers.
Anies and Larosa combined for 19 of UST’s 26 fourth quarter points. Kikay Gandalla chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds.
“As I told the girls, we need to take it one game at a time. Lahat ng games namin knockout games na,” added Ong.
Precious Arellado played her final game for FEU. The Lady Tamaraws skipper tallied 19 points, three rebounds, six assists, and three steals but was held scoreless in the final frame.
Isabel Balleser, Joannah Ouano, and Althea de Guzman played their final game as well.
The Scores:
UST (86) – Anies 24, Angeles 14, Gandalla 11, Rivera 10, Larosa 10, Peñaflor 8, Jerez 7, Portillo 2, Aujero 0, Sanggalang 0, Isanan 0.
FEU (72) – Arellado 19, Garner 12, Balleser 11, Taguiam 11, Antiola 4, Bastastas 4, Jumuad 4, Ouano 3, Okunlola 2, Quiapo 2, Bahuyan 0, Mamaril 0, Payadon 0.
Quarterscores: 19-19, 39-31, 60-55, 86-72.
