Jhenn Angeles carried the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses late against the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, taking a 71-65 victory, Wednesday morning at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The win lifted UST to solo second with a 4-1 slate, half a game ahead of the University of the East Lady Warriors. Ateneo, on the other hand, dropped to 2-3.
Though pleased with the record they sport, former national team head coach Haydee Ong was dismayed with the way they closed out the game.
“With the standing of course I am happy but with the way we played I am not happy,” shared the second-year UST head coach. “We could have blown out the game earlier but because of our turnovers, our defensive lapses the game was close until the end.”
The Growling Tigresses were up by as much as 15 points, 65-50, after Angeles knocked down a corner triple with 3:28 left. However, UST’s defense dropped down, allowing an 8-0 Ateneo rally sparked by Tina Deacon and Jollina Go that sliced the lead to just seven, 65-58, with 1:23 remaining.
UST were able to force Ateneo to commit a shot clock violation afterwards, leading to free throws for Angeles to seal the win.
Angeles, a fifth-year floor general, scored nine of her 20 points in the final frame to go along with six rebounds and two steals.
“Jhenn is playing in her last year. She’s very seasoned already and she’s more mature [now compared to last year]. She knows how to take care of the ball so I guess she’s my ace,” Ong remarked about her skipper.
Sai Larosa added 14 points and nine rebounds for UST.
Go’s stellar outing went for naught as she finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Decon added 10 markers, spiked by two triples, while Hazelle Yam chipped in 10 markers as well.
UST look to extend their winning run on Saturday, September 23, when they face the struggling De La Salle University Lady Archers at 8:00am. Ateneo, on the other hand, will have a tough next outing as when they take on the National University Lady Bulldogs on the same day at 10:00am.
The Scores:
UST (71) – Angeles 20, Larosa 14, Penaflor 9, Anies 8, Rivera 8, Portillo 7, Aujero 2, Magat 2, Jerez 1, Isanan 0, Capilit 0, Gandalla 0.
ADMU (65) – Go 26, Yam 10, Deacon 10, Villamor 7, Buendia 4, Newsome 4, Cancio 4, Uy De Ong 0, Joson 0, Payac 0, Veloso 0.
Quarterscores: 20-9, 38-28, 51-43, 71-65.
