Playing with their backs against the wall, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses jumped on the well-rested yet rusty University of the East Lady Warriors, 63-53, to force a win-or-go-home game, Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The sudden death contest will take place on Saturday, November 25, at the same venue. The winner will advance to face reigning champions National University Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday, November 29.
And the win would not be possible without the imposing defense that UST played to frustrate leading scorers Eunique Chan and Lovejoy Sto. Domingo for the entire game.
“First, hats off to my girls. They did it the way that we planned it the last two days. We forced Chan to be in foul trouble, that’s crucial for them. We limited the touches of Sto. Domingo,” said second-year Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong.
“Second, we’re one step away from the finals and I know UE will be right back on Saturday so we have to be prepared and ready to counter whatever adjustment they will make,” she added.
Chan, a graduating forward, was limited to just eight minutes in the contest, as she was plagued with foul trouble for the entire game. Sto. Domingo, who ranked second in the Most Valuable Player race, shot a horrid 4-for-11 from the field, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
With the two stalwarts limited, the opposing offense was crisp. A strong start by UST, led to a 17-9 start for the third-seeded team that led to a game-high 18-point lead, 31-13, late in the second frame.
Anjel Anies powered the Growling Tigresses with 21 points. Sai Larosa and skipper Jhenn Angeles chipped in 12 markers each with Angeles flirting with a triple-double adding 11 rebounds and eight assists to her statline.
But the Lady Warrriors found their bearings and gave the Growling Tigresses a late scare.
A triple by Ruthlaine Tacula followed by a breakaway layup with 1:17 left sliced the lead to just six, 53-59. However, a missed triple by Tcula with 33.4 ticks remaining led to a Kikay Gandalla triple that turned out to be the dagger.
Lore Rivera injured her right knee with 3:29 left after a bad landing as she tried to drive past three Lady Warrior defenders.
“We’re praying that she can play Saturday. That’s a big blow kung hindi siya makakalaro, somebody has to step up on her shoes,” said Ong.
Tacula led UE with 14 points. However, the Lady Warriors went just 17-for-80 from the field.
The Scores:
UST (63) – Anies 21, Angeles 12, Larosa 12, Jerez 10, Gandalla 6, Aujero 1, Capilit 1, Portillo 0, Sanggalang 0, Rivera 0, Peñaflor 0, Isanan 0, Magat 0.
UE (53) – Tacula 14, Sto. Domingo 12, Requiron 11, Chan 5, Gayacao 4, Cortizano 4, Ramos 3, Antonio 0, Francisco 0.
Quarterscores: 17-9, 33-21, 47-35, 63-53.
