University of Santo Tomas continued its unbeaten run in dominant fashion, dismantling Far Eastern University, 88-42, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Coming off a victory over modern-day rival National University, the defending champions improved to 4-0 to remain atop the standings. The 46-point rout also raised UST’s average winning margin to 33.25 points through four games.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws absorbed their second consecutive loss to slip to 2-2.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“‘Yung game plan is to stop sina Amyah [Espanol], sina [Victoria] Pasilang. And I think ‘yung individual defense and the team defense tells a lot, kasi they scored 42 points lang,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong.
“We started slow nung halftime break after ng third quarter. We scored only 14 points, and then we’re not doing our pace na run-and-gun. Sinabi ko lang sa girls, ‘Go back to what we are comfortable doing,'” the decorated tactician added.
No FEU player scored in double figures, with Espanol leading the Lady Tamaraws with nine points. Pasilang, meanwhile, was held scoreless after missing all nine of her field-goal attempts in 23 minutes of action.
Nigerian standout Oma Onianwa led UST with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, along with two blocks. Karylle Sierba then contributed 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
The Growling Tigresses imposed their will from the opening tip, racing to a 25-10 lead in the first quarter behind back-to-back layups from Onianwa.
UST showed no signs of slowing down in the second period, holding FEU scoreless for nearly five minutes before Sierba converted a layup to stretch the lead to 33-10.
Onianwa continued to lead the charge as the Growling Tigresses limited the Lady Tamaraws to just 12 points in the second quarter, taking a commanding 43-22 advantage into halftime.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UST sustained its dominance after the break, continuing to widen the gap before outscoring FEU, 31-9, in the final quarter to complete the rout and preserve its perfect start to the season.
CJ Maglupay also delivered her best performance of the season for the Growling Tigresses, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
UST will look to extend its winning streak to five games when it hosts Ateneo de Manila University at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, October 17, at 12:00 PM.
Meanwhile, FEU will aim to bounce back against National University at the Blue Eagle Gym on Sunday, October 18, at 10:00 AM.
The Scores:
UST 88 – Onianwa 20, Sierba 18, Maglupay 12, McAlary 8, Bron 7, Santos 4, Relliquette 4, Boteros 4, Pescador 3, Ambos 3, Dajao 2, Tate 2, Wenceslao 1, C. Danganan 0, K. Danganan 0.
FEU 42 – Español 9, Gavaran 6, Salvani 5, Dela Torre 5, Ellorimo 5, Lopez 3, Manguiat 3, Patio 2, Kant 2, Agcambot 1, Escares 1, Pasilang 0, Melvida 0, Quinte 0.
Quarterscores: 25-10, 43-22, 57-33, 88-42.
