University of Santo Tomas shrugged off Kacey Dela Rosa’s impressive 20-point, 20-rebound performance to dominate Ateneo de Manila University, 77-54, for a share of the lead in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With this win, the Growling Tigresses improved to a 2-0 record, joining the Adamson University Lady Falcons at the top of the standings.
UST set the tone early, exploding for 32 points in the opening period. They achieved this with six three-pointers from Kent Pastrana, Amby Ambos, Tacky Tacatac, and Eka Soriano, establishing a solid 32-20 lead right from the start.
Despite a brief challenge from the Blue Eagles, who closed the gap to 41-46 with 5:33 left in the third quarter, the Growling Tigresses responded decisively.
Key contributions from Soriano, Pastrana, and Tacatac helped UST maintain control.
In the final quarter, UST’s defense was suffocating. They limited Ateneo to just six points on a dismal 2-of-17 shooting from the field while holding Dela Rosa to zero shots.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“It’s a total team effort. Lahat talaga nagtulungan, especially of course ‘yung Ateneo, alam natin nandoon si Kacey, so as much as possible we limit the output, pero hindi pa rin,” said Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong.
“I think more effort pa from us on the second round against Ateneo.”
Pastrana led UST with 20 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Meanwhile, Season 85 Most Valuable Player Soriano contributed 12 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Tacatac added 14 points, including four three-pointers, and Ambis chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds.
On the other hand, Dela Rosa’s standout performance with 22 points and 20 rebounds wasn’t enough to secure a victory for the Blue Eagles. Ateneo fell to 1-1 and slid to fourth place in the standings.
The 6-foot junior was highly efficient, shooting 8-of-11 from the field.
Rookie Kai Oani and Junize Calago provided support with eight points each, but both struggled, shooting 2-of-10 from the field.
Looking ahead, UST will face Adamson at the latter’s home gym on Sunday at 11:30 AM. On the other hand, Ateneo will also aim to rebound on Sunday, taking on De La Salle University at 1:30 PM.
The Scores:
UST 77 – Pastrana 20, Tacatac 14, Soriano 12, Ambos 10, Bron 4, Relliquette 4, Sierba 4, Dionisio 3, N. Danganan 2, Serrano 2, Pineda 2, Santos 0, Maglupay 0, Amatong 0, Pescador 0.
Ateneo 54 – Dela Rosa 22, Oani 8, Calago 8, Makanjuola 7, Nieves 4, Villacruz 2, Aguirre 2, Cancio 1, Batongbakal 0, Eufemanio 0, Fetalvero 0, Salgado 0, Angala 0, Olivenza 0, Lopez 0.
Quarterscores: 32-20, 44-34, 63-48, 77-54
