University of Santo Tomas returned to its winning form, overcoming University of the East, 84-62, to strengthen its hold on second place in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Rebounding from a 70-76 loss to archrival NU Lady Bulldogs last Wednesday, the Growling Tigresses quickly bounced back, improving their record to 10-2. They now hold a 1.5-game cushion over the Adamson Lady Falcons for the second seed.
“Dapat hindi kami kampante. Of course, dapat may mental toughness na rin. Knowing na isa ka sa mga taas, may tendency talaga magrelax. Dapat nandoon pa rin yung mindset nila na taking it one day at a time and always sticking to the process,” UST assistant coach Ged Austria said.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With the game tied at 19-all in the second period, Kent Pastrana scored 11 points during UST’s 16-5 surge to close the first half, capped by a buzzer-beating heave to give them a 35-24 advantage heading into the third frame.
The Growling Tigresses extended their 50-40 third-quarter lead to a commanding 67-47 cushion, thanks to rookie Karylle Sierba, who scored 13 points in UST’s 17-7 start to the final period.
This win allowed UST to assert its dominance over a struggling UE side, whom they defeated 86-44 in their season opener on September 8.
“We did not play the way we wanted to in the first three quarters. It’s clear na marami pa dapat gawin and corrections na need gawin. For the near future, we’re taking it one game at a time,” Austria added.
Tacky Tacatac shone for UST, scoring 20 of her 25 points in the second half, along with four steals, three assists, and two rebounds.
Pastrana contributed 18 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Sierba added 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, three rebounds, and three steals, achieving a plus-29 rating in just 21 minutes.
Danganan nearly notched a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, plus two steals, a block, and an assist.
UST aims to secure the second seed in a crucial clash against Adamson University next Saturday, November 16, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, UE’s struggles continued, as they absorbed their eighth consecutive loss, dropping to a 1-11 record.
While the Lady Warriors were eliminated from Final Four contention earlier in the season, they are now joined by the DLSU Lady Archers, UP Fighting Maroons, and FEU Lady Tamaraws after the Ateneo Blue Eagles notched an 85-70 victory over FEU.
Rachel Lacayanga led UE with 22 points, five rebounds, four steals, and one assist, while Malienne center Kamba Kone also scored 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
Moana Vacalares chipped in nine points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Jearzy Ganade contributed seven points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals but committed eight turnovers.
UE looks to end its eight-game skid in a matchup against Ateneo on the same date and venue.
The Scores:
UST (84) – Tacatac 25, Pastrana 18, Sierba 16, N. Danganan 9, Santos 5, Maglupay 4, Soriano 3, Relliquette 2, Ambos 2, Bron 0, Serrano 0, Pescador 0, Pineda 0, Lopez 0, Amatong 0.
UE (62) – Lacayanga 22, Kone 22, Vacalares 9, Ganade 7, Ronquillo 2, Dalguntas 0, Cruz 0, Buscar 0, Lumibao 0, Yanes 0.
Quarterscores: 13-15, 35-24, 50-40, 84-62
