Kent Pastrana unleashed a career-high 35 points as University of Santo Tomas secured a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament with a commanding 125-50 victory over University of the East on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Following up on a 25-point performance against University of the Philippines last November 5, Pastrana raised the bar, hitting 13-of-21 from the field while adding 12 rebounds, five steals, two assists, and one block, finishing with an efficient plus-50 rating in just 18 minutes and 51 seconds of action.
“I am so happy sa performance ko today. ‘Yon lang din sinasabi ko palagi sa sarili ko na bibigay ko lahat ng makakaya ko sa team para manalo every game and of course, as a leader, I’ll do my best palagi para makatulong sa teammates and coaches ko,” Pastrana said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Behind her career outing, the Growling Tigresses remained unbeaten through 11 games, boasting an average winning margin of 37 points per contest.
With a perfect 11-0 record, UST gained significant momentum ahead of a grueling three-game stretch against Ateneo de Manila University, defending champion National University, and Far Eastern University to close the elimination round.
“Of course, very proud sa ginawa ng players namin. Like as you said, we just want to carry on our momentum going into the playoffs kasi as we all know, yung isang game last weekend, na-cancel. We just want to continue and carry on our momentum lalo yung next two opponents is Ateneo and NU,” Growling Tigresses assistant coach Ged Austria said after UST uncorked 125 points — the highest scoring output in UAAP women’s basketball since NU’s 131-47 win over UE on October 2, 2022.
UST set the tone early, scoring 33 first-quarter points before sending UE into a 41-point, 70-29 halftime deficit, as the Lady Warriors struggled with just 7-of-21 shooting in the first two quarters.
The Growling Tigresses maintained control in the third quarter, with Pastrana erupting for 17 of UST’s 27 points while holding UE to just nine, building a commanding 97-38 cushion entering the final frame.
Powered by six double-digit scorers, UST dominated all facets of the game, totaling 58 rebounds, 36 assists from 46 made field goals, and 22 steals.
Nigerian center Oma Onianwa contributed 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block, while Rachelle Ambos added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, along with seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Coi Danganan also scored 11 points with six rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Karylle Sierba chipped in 11 points, including three triples.
UST aims to secure the first twice-to-beat advantage when it faces Ateneo on Saturday, November 15, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the loss extended UE’s skid to 22 straight games dating back to the first round of Season 87.
Syril Oñate paced the Lady Warriors with 20 points, five rebounds, and one steal, while Rachel Lacayanga added 18 points, five steals, four rebounds, and two assists.
UE will look for a breakthrough win against the Lady Bulldogs on the same date and venue.
The Scores:
UST (125) – Pastrana 35, Onianwa 12, Ambos 11, C. Danganan 11, Sierba 11, Santos 10, McAlary 6, K. Danganan 6, Soriano 5, Bron 5, Maglupay 5, Pineda 4, Pescador 2, Serrano 2, Dajao 0.
UE (50) – Oñate 20, Lacayanga 18, Yañez 4, Gomez 3, Lumibao 3, Salise 2, Ronquillo 0, Trinidad 0, Buscar 0, Lituania 0, Dalguntas 0, Gullim 0, Solomon 0.
Quarterscores: 33-15, 70-29, 97-38, 125-50.
