University of Santo Tomas ran roughshod over De La Salle University, 90-54, to remain unscathed through eight games in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
After sweeping the first round with an average winning margin of 29.28 points per contest, the Growling Tigresses carried their dominant form into the second round.
They leaned on the combined efforts of Nigerian center Oma Onianwa, Season 87 Girls’ Basketball MVP Barby Dajao, and Brigette Santos.
The trio anchored UST’s eighth straight victory while snapping the Lady Archers’ three-game winning streak.
UST — which also demolished La Salle, 105-56, in their first-round meeting — stayed atop the eight-team standings with a pristine 8-0 record.
Meanwhile, the Lady Archers slipped into a tie for fifth place with Season 87 bronze medalist Adamson University, both holding identical 3-5 slates.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“I just told them the confidence of La Salle is high after winning three games and we had not-too-nice games the last time to close the first round. I think it’s all about team effort, and the players delivered, especially yung mga player na nasa harap ninyo in Bron and Barby,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong.
“Next man up kami. Pag meron mga players na nag-sstruggle, sasaluhin ng team. Ito yung maganda na nangyayari coming into the second round na even when other players are struggling, yung ibang teammates nila ay nag-sstep up for them,” Ong added.
The Growling Tigresses imposed their will early, taking a 28-15 lead in the opening quarter.
They then blew the game wide open in the second frame. CJ Maglupay and Dajao fueled a 28-point period while limiting La Salle to just nine, giving UST a commanding 53-24 cushion at the half.
That proved to be all the momentum UST needed.
The trio of Onianwa, Coi Danganan, and Agatha Bron spearheaded a 10-2 run to close the third quarter, pushing the lead to 75-38 heading into the payoff period.
Bron led the charge with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding five rebounds and one steal. Onianwa followed with a double-double of 12 points on 6-of-12 shooting and 14 rebounds, alongside four assists, three blocks, and one steal.
Maglupay chipped in 11 points on an efficient 4-of-5 clip, to go with four rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. Meanwhile, Dajao sank three triples en route to 11 points.
Santos rounded out UST’s balanced attack with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Except for starters Bron and Santos, all UST players logged under 20 minutes — a testament to the team’s depth and balanced rotation.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For La Salle, Kyla Go led the way with 17 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Xyla Lubrico contributed eight points, five rebounds, and one steal.
Both squads return to action on Wednesday at the same Pasay venue.
UST will face Adamson University at 12:00 PM, while La Salle looks to regroup against winless University of the East in the day’s final game at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
UST (94) – Bron 15, Onianwa 12, Maglupay 11, Dajao 11, Santos 10, C. Danganan 8, Pastrana 7, Soriano 5, Sierba 4, McAlary 4, Pineda 3, K. Danganan 2, Relliquette 2, Pescador 0, Serrano 0, Ambos 0.
DLSU (50) – Go 17, Lubrico 8, Mendoza 7, Anastacio 4, Villarin 3, Dela Paz 3, Camba 2, Sunga 2, S. Dizon 2, Araza 2, Delos Reyes 0, Catalan 0, Villapando 0, A. Dizon 0.
Quarterscores: 28-15, 53-24, 75-38, 90-54.
