University of Santo Tomas started its title defense in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament in dominant fashion, coasting toward a wire-to-wire 86-44 victory over University of the East Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
In her collegiate debut, Karylle Sierba, a product of the UST High School program, led the Growling Tigresses with 18 points on an efficient 61.5-percent shooting from the field, while also contributing four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
UAAP Season 86 Athlete of the Year Kent Pastrana added 15 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, while Rachelle Ambos came close to a triple-double, tallying 13 points, 13 rebounds, and eight steals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Una po, binigay ko lang yung best ko sa loob ng court,” said Ambos, a third-year forward. “Nag-stick lang ako sa kung ano sinasabi ni coach [Haydee Ong]. Sinabi niya sa amin dati pa na wala na si ate Tantoy (Ferrer) kaya kailangan namin mag step-up as a big kasi kailangan kami sa game.
“Yun lang po. Kung ano sasabihin lang, yun lang bigay lang ng bigay ng best,” she added.
From a slow start in the first quarter, the defending champions shifted gears in the second period, zooming past the Lady Warriors off baskets by Eka Soriano, Ambos, and Kent Pastrana to lead by 17, 41-24, in the half.
UST then clinched its biggest separation from UE, 86-40, with 2:15 remaining in the contest.
Despite the impressive victory, Ong pointed out that her team has to take better care of the ball in its next games.
“I think we have to correct our turnovers. Madami pa rin,” Ong said. “Baka may mga first-game jitters. We started very excited. It’s all unforced turnovers. Hopefully sa next games, medyo maremedyohan namin yung mga turnovers namin.”
UST made sure to make UE pay for its 33 turnovers by scoring 30 points off of them.
The Growling Tigresses also seized 57 rebounds and produced 50 points from the bench while the Lady Warriors could only come up with 40 and 19 respectively.
UST will look to build on this win when they take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles this Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Rachel Lacayanga was the lone bright spot for UE with 11 points and seven rebounds as Malienne center Kamba Kone was held down to just eight points, four rebounds, and an assist.
On a 38-game losing streak, the Lady Warriors will try to finally get back to winning ways this Saturday against the UP Fighting Maroons at 1:30 p.m. at the same venue.
The Scores:
UST 86 – Sierba 18, Pastrana 15, Ambos 13, N. Danganan 7, Soriano 6, Tacatac 5, Santos 5, Relliquette 5, Bron 4, Maglupay 4, Pineda 2, Serrano 2, Dionisio 0, Pascador 0, Lopez 0, Amatong 0.
UE 44 – Lacayanga 11, Kone 8, Ronquillo 8, Ganade 6, Vacalares 6, Yanez 3, Buscar 2, Dublar 0, Ruiz 0, Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 15-13, 41-24, 62-34, 86-44
