Defending champion University of Santo Tomas avoided a meltdown and showcased its championship poise, eliminating third-ranked Adamson University, 71-59, to advance to the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Finals on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Growling Tigresses, the second seed with a 12-2 record, will once again face the National University Lady Bulldogs.
NU earned an automatic finals berth after sweeping the 14-game elimination round.
UST ended NU’s seven-season dynasty in last year’s finals, prevailing in three games.
However, the Lady Bulldogs have yet to lose since. They defeated the Tigresses in both elimination-round meetings this season, 75-69 and 76-70.
The upcoming finals echo last season’s storyline, where NU dominated the eliminations before UST exacted revenge in the championship series.
Game 1 of the best-of-three finals is scheduled for Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We have to work harder together. ‘Yung dapat ayusin sa laro namin this game, doon kami magko-concentrate,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong. “For us, we are the underdogs. Ang NU palagi ang llamado, kami ang dehado.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST came out firing, racing to a commanding 21-4 lead in the first quarter.
However, Adamson – fueled by its mantra “Big E” for effort – stormed back and took a 37-35 lead at halftime.
Kent Pastrana, Tacky Tacatac, and Brigette Santos anchored a third-quarter resurgence for the Tigresses.
Down 39-43, they unleashed a 15-2 run to regain control, 54-45.
Adamson closed the gap to six points, 54-60, but CJ Maglupay, Santos, and Tacatac sealed the game with timely plays, extending UST’s lead to 67-55 with 3:45 remaining.
“Let’s give credit also to Adamson, kay Coach Ryan (Monteclaro) and his girls, talagang they gave us a hard time. Salute to them,” said Ong, as Adamson struggled offensively, shooting just 6-of-25 in the second half.
“It’s a total team effort for us, and at the end of the day, ‘yung defense namin dictated nung second half.”
Pastrana, the UAAP Season 86 Athlete of the Year, delivered an all-around performance. She had 23 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block, though she committed seven turnovers.
Maglupay added 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six steals, while Tacatac contributed 10 points despite a poor shooting night (3-of-16).
Santos also stepped up with 10 points and seven steals as UST dominated playmaking, dishing out 24 assists on 30 field goals compared to Adamson’s six assists on 21 makes.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Lady Falcons reached the second phase of the stepladder with a gritty 59-53 overtime win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
They settled for bronze – a marked improvement from their 4-10, sixth-place finish last season.
Elaine Etang led Adamson with 12 points and five rebounds but struggled with her shooting (3-of-14).
Kem Adeshina also had 12 points, though 10 of those came in the first half.
The Lady Falcons will have their core back, reinforced by transferees from the UE Lady Warriors for next season.
Only May Trabado will graduate from this year’s Adamson batch.
The Scores:
UST 71 – Pastrana 23, Maglupay 13, Tacatac 10, Santos 10, Ambos 7. Danganan 4, Sierba 4, Soriano 0, Bron 0, Amatong 0, Pescador 0, Reliquette 0.
AdU 59 – Etang 12, Adeshina 12, A. Alaba 9, Apag 7, Agojo 6, Limbago 4, Bajo 4, Padilla 3, Manlimos 2, Meniano 0, Ornopia 0, E. Alaba 0, Mazo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-12, 35-37, 56-48, 71-59.
