Bucking the absence of head coach Haydee Ong, University of Santo Tomas overpowered Ateneo de Manila University, 92-79, to clinch the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday evening at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
With lead assistant Sen Dysangco stepping in for Ong, who served a one-game suspension after accumulating two technical fouls, the Growling Tigresses hardly missed a beat.
Season 86 champions Karylle Sierba, Agatha Bron, and Brigette Santos led the charge, helping UST maintain their perfect record through 12 games.
Now armed with a coveted playoff incentive (should the traditional Final Four format be followed), UST is also primed for a highly-anticipated Finals rematch against defending champion National University next Sunday, November 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Bulldogs are currently on an 11-game winning streak, and sit alone in second place with a 12-1 record.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“First, Ateneo’s always been mahirap to deal with because of Kacey [Dela Rosa] and [Sarah] Makanjoula. We have to dig deep sa defense natin and adjust, especially doon sa second half,” said Dysangco, who is the head coach of the school’s girls’ basketball team.
“Maybe, and I felt that we were too eager ‘no doon sa depensa natin, kaya kami naaatake. But fortunately, we were able to adjust sa second half, become more patient doon sa defense, and we were able to take advantage and run.”
Ateneo stayed within striking distance, trailing by just nine points, 70-61, heading into the final period. But UST started the fourth quarter strong, unleashing a pivotal 12-5 run — highlighted by a Sierba layup and a Rachelle Ambos triple — to create a game-high 16-point, 82-66 lead with 6:19 left on the clock.
The Blue Eagles refused to back down, responding with an 11-3 run to cut the deficit to 85-77 with over four minutes remaining. However, the Growling Tigresses effectively sealed their 12th consecutive win.
A Kent Pastrana triple and an Eka Soriano inside basket restored an insurmountable 90-77 cushion with 2:45 left.
Sierba powered UST with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, adding three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Bron scored 12 of her 15 points in the second half, along with two rebounds and two steals, while Santos contributed 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Pastrana was limited to 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting but still contributed nine assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
Coi Danganan added nine points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block, while Ambos chipped in seven points, three rebounds, and one steal.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles remain in solo third place but have dropped to 7-4, with the De La Salle University Lady Archers (4-6), Adamson University Lady Falcons (4-7), and Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (4-7) hot on their heels.
Camille Malagar led Ateneo with 18 points, three assists, and one steal. Reigning MVP Dela Rosa finished with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, adding five assists, three blocks, and one steal.
Kai Oani contributed 14 points and four steals but committed six of the Blue Eagles’ 22 turnovers, while Makanjoula finished with eight points and 10 rebounds, along with one steal and one block.
The Scores:
UST (92) – Sierba 21, Santos 15, Bron 15, Pastrana 11, N. Danganan 9, Ambos 7, Soriano 4, Maglupay 4, Onianwa 4, Pineda 2, Pescador 0, E. Danganan 0, Serrano 0.
Ateneo (79) – Malagar 18, Dela Rosa 14, Oani 14, De Luna 9, Makanjuola 8, Villacruz 8, Batongbakal 4, Cancio 2, Lopez 2.
Quarterscores: 22-22, 42-39, 70-61, 92-79.
