They played for history. They played for redemption. But more than anything, the Junior Growling Tigresses played for their ates.
For head coach Haydee Ong, for Kent Pastrana, Eka Soriano, Tacky Tacatac — for the entire University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses — this championship was for them.
Fueled by the heartbreak of last season and the guidance of their seniors, UST stormed through the UAAP Season 87 Girls’ Basketball Tournament with a perfect run, culminating in a dominant Finals sweep to claim their first official championship in the division.
UST’s bid for back-to-back titles in the UAAP women’s basketball division came crashing down last December.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In a dramatic showdown that went down to the wire, National University reclaimed the championship with a 78-73 win in a winner-take-all Game 3 on December 15. The Lady Bulldogs had been dethroned by UST in Season 86, also in a three-game series.
However, the Junior Growling Tigresses got their revenge in dominant fashion, sweeping all four head-to-head match-ups against NU in Season 87 — including a Finals series sweep — to officially clinch their first UAAP girls’ basketball title.
This came after their co-champion finish with Adamson University in the inaugural tournament back in Season 82.
For graduating guard Barby Dajao, the guidance of their ates, their presence in training, and the heartbreak suffered by the Growling Tigresses in Season 87 served as extra motivation to finally claim the crown.
That support made all the difference for Dajao, who became just the second-ever MVP of the division — following Adamson’s Cris Padilla in Season 82 — while also earning Finals MVP honors. She dominated the two-game championship series, averaging 23.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.5 steals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Natutuwa lang kasi nandoon sila nanonood sa amin, and parang ginawa namin is para din po sa kanila kasi alam naman po namin yung nangyari doon last year,” the Bacolod City native shared.
“Alam ko naman na babawi din sila, and ginawa lang namin yung best namin. Yung mga advice din po nila, finollow namin.”
Grade 10 guard Rhiane Perez reaffirmed those sentiments, crediting the tough love and rigorous training sessions with the Growling Tigresses for elevating their game to another level.
Those grueling late-night practices paid off for Perez, who bagged the Season 87 Rookie of the Year award along with a spot in the Mythical Five after averaging 18.5 points, 5.25 rebounds, 4.25 assists, and 4.5 steals per game.
“Super thankful kami sa mga ates namin na tinutulungan kami mag-ensayo, mas tinuturuan kami mag-improve. Tsaka meron din motivation yun sa amin, yung naging pagkatalo nila last year, para mag-prepare kami at mas ganahan pa manalo,” the Tigbauan, Panay native expressed.
