In a rematch of the last two seasons’ Finals series, University of Santo Tomas finally broke through National University, 76-62, for its second win in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at their home gym, the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Growling Tigresses got some revenge on the Lady Bulldogs, who captured the title last year after a hard-fought three-game finale. They also improved to 2-0 alongside the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Last season, NU swept the elimination round and was one win away from sweeping the tournament, but UST denied them with a Game 2 victory in the Finals.
This time, the Growling Tigresses made sure the Lady Bulldogs would not leave the elimination round unbeaten, handing them their first loss in just their second game.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Sinabi ko naman sa girls na tonight, it’s all about how the Tigresses play their basketball. It’s all about their effort. We’re missing our shots, and what is important tonight is we adjusted and played our defense to clamp on those scorers of NU,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong, celebrating their first elimination-round win against NU since going 0-14 against them from Season 79 onwards.
After trailing by as much as 16 points in the first half, the Lady Bulldogs cut the deficit to four in the third, 38-42. But the Growling Tigresses responded with an 18-4 run to close the quarter at 60-42. Amby Ambos scored all 10 of her points during that run.
UST capitalized on NU’s lack of a foreign student-athlete in the paint and Angel Surada’s early foul trouble to dominate the boards, claiming a massive 78-37 advantage in rebounds.
The Growling Tigresses hauled in 43 offensive rebounds — more than NU’s total rebound output — which led to 40 additional field goal attempts, 98-58.
Nigerian center Oma Onianwa led UST with 18 points and 15 rebounds, 12 coming from the offensive glass. Meanwhile, veteran Kent Pastrana contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block.
Eka Soriano added 11 points and four rebounds, while CJ Maglupay and Coi Danganan each grabbed 11 rebounds, scoring six and five points, respectively.
UST will aim to extend its perfect start to 3-0 when it faces University of the East on Saturday, still at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For NU, Xyza Pring paced the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points, going 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Ann Pingol added 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Surada, a Mythical Team member last season, was limited to just three points and two rebounds.
The Lady Bulldogs will look to bounce back on Saturday against an undefeated UP side.
The Scores:
UST (76) – Onianwa 18, Pastrana 12, Soriano 11, Ambos 10, Maglupay 6, E. Danganan 5, Pineda 5, Santos 3, Pescador 3, Sierba 2, Bron 1, Relliquette 0, McAlary 0.
NU (62) – Pring 12, Pingol 10, Villanueva 9, Cayabyab 8, Solis 8, Betanio 6, Alterado 4, Surada 3, S. Medina 2, D. Medina 0, Garcia 0, Canindo 0.
Quarterscores: 20-13, 40-30, 60-42, 76-62.
