By: Joaquin Cortez
University of Santo Tomas opened its second-round campaign in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament with a dominant 93-65 wire-to-wire victory over the University of the Philippines on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
After surviving a strong first-half surge from the Fighting Maroons in their previous meeting more than 72 hours ago, the Growling Tigresses left no room for doubt this time, never surrendering the lead and stretching their advantage to as much as 35 points.
With the win, UST extended its perfect run to eight games.
Oma Onianwa led the Growling Tigresses with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Brig Santos and Karylle Sierba chipped in 18 points apiece.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Last game, we started really flat and in-emphasize ko sa mga girls today na we have to start strong and finish strong. We emphasized ‘yung last training practices namin to give pride on our defense and we really shut down UP today,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong. “Kudos to the girls. They really worked hard for this win.”
Meanwhile, UP fell to 4-4 in the standings.
The Growling Tigresses set the tone early, unleashing a 25-9 run in the opening quarter punctuated by Barby Dajao’s free throws to seize control of the contest.
UST continued to pull away in the second period, with Sierba and Onianwa combining for 28 first-half points to outscore UP on their own. The Growling Tigresses took a commanding 54-21 lead into the break.
The Fighting Maroons managed to outscore UST, 22-18, in the third quarter, but the deficit remained too steep to overcome as the Growling Tigresses carried a 72-43 advantage into the final period.
UP failed to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, with Onianwa capping UST’s dominant performance with a layup with more than eight minutes remaining as the Growling Tigresses cruised to their eighth consecutive victory.
“Of course, happy ako sa team at sa sarili ko din dahil nakukuha na din ‘yung confidence and of course, nakakatulong ako sa team,” Dajao said after delivering her best collegiate performance so far, finishing with 14 points, two rebounds, and a block.
“Siguro kailangan ko lang trabahuhin and alam ko namang marami pang seniors so kailangan ko lang muna mag-work hard and ipakita ko rin sa training na deserve ko rin,” she added.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Louna Ozar paced UP with 16 points, three rebounds, and four assists, while Kenna Ka and Camille Nolasco contributed 15 and 12 points, respectively.
UST will look to extend its winning streak to nine games when it takes on De La Salle University on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 8:00 a.m. UP, meanwhile, will aim to snap its losing streak against the University of the East on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 8:00 a.m.
Both games will be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
UST 93 – Onianwa 20, Santos 18, Sierba 18, Dajao 14, Relliquette 7, C. Danganan 5, Ambos 2, Bron 2, K. Danganan 2, McAlary 2, Wenceslao 2, Maglupay 1, Pescador 0, Tate 0, Boteros 0.
UP 65 – Ozar 16, Ka 15, Nolasco 12, Maw 11, Vingno 6, Abrams 3, Torres 2, Tapawan 0, Francis 0, Cunanan 0, Loon 0, Pesquera 0, Mejasco 0, Tapinit 0.
Quarterscores: 25-9, 54-21, 72-49, 93-65.
