University of Santo Tomas extended its unbeaten start to five games after clobbering Far Eastern University, 104-66, in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Growling Tigresses asserted their dominance from the opening tip, racing to a 33-20 first-quarter advantage that ballooned to a 57-37 cushion by halftime.
Now at 5-0, UST looks to complete a first-round sweep with remaining assignments against Adamson University and the University of the Philippines.
Head coach Haydee Ong expressed satisfaction with how her team executed defensively against FEU, which was coming off an inspired win over UP last Sunday.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“I told the girls that it was a very good game of FEU against UP, so we need to prepare for them because that’s the best game of the season for FEU. We prepared a game plan and nasunod naman ng buong team so we’re happy for the win,” said Ong as she faced her former Discovery Perlas ward, FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy.
UST shot a blistering 50 percent from the field, sinking 38 of its 76 attempts, led by Karylle Sierba’s 21 points and four rebounds.
Kent Pastrana chipped in 15 points and four assists, while Gin Relliquette added 14 markers.
CJ Maglupay stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, eight rebounds, four steals, two assists, and a block as the Tigresses capitalized on FEU’s 24 turnovers, converting them into 27 points.
UST will next face Adamson University on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws dropped to 2-3, creating a three-way logjam for fourth place with the Lady Falcons and the Fighting Maroons.
Amyah Espanol once again led FEU with 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while MJ Manguiat added 11 points.
Shemaiah Abatayo, who erupted for 25 points in their previous outing, was held to just seven on 2-of-9 shooting, though she still contributed seven assists and four rebounds.
The Scores:
UST (104) – Sierba 21, Pastrana 15, Relliquette 14, Maglupay 11, Santos 7, C. Danganan 7, Soriano 6, Ambos 6, Dajao 5, Onianwa 4, McAlary 4, Bron 2, Pineda 2, Serrano 0, Pescador 0, K. Danganan 0.
FEU (66) – Espanol 18, Mangiuat 11, Abatayo 7, Lopez 5, Pasilang 5, Salvani 4, Nagma 4, Patio 4, Villanueva 4, Dela Torre 2, Garavan 2, Agcambot 0.
Quarterscores: 33-20, 57-37, 81-55, 104-66.
