The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses showed why they’re the No. 1 team in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday.
UST delivered a statement win in Game 2, dominating National University, 95-70, to force a winner-take-all Finals showdown on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The thrilling trilogy between the league’s storied women’s programs will go to a Game 3 for the third straight time.
The Growling Tigresses will aim to reclaim the crown they lost last year, while the Lady Bulldogs will seek to defend it and capture a ninth title in 10 seasons on Sunday at the same venue. Tip-off for the title decider is at 1 p.m.
‘We shied away from our identity in Game 1. We did not run, we did not play our defense. Now, it’s a total team effort. The first group set the tone, we have relentless defense from the start until the end of the game, I think that sets the tone for us,’ said UST head coach Haydee Ong after the wire-to-wire triumph that saw them lead by as much as 31 points, 87-56.
Coming off a stunning 79-84 loss in Game 1-their first defeat of the season after sweeping the elimination round and earning an outright Finals berth, the Growling Tigresses came out blazing, cruising to a 20-5 start behind Rachelle Ambos and Coi Danganan.
The Lady Bulldogs managed to keep within striking distance, trailing by just eight at halftime, 40-48.
But UST unleashed a decisive blow in the third period as Brigette Santos, Kent Pastrana, Danganan, and Onianwa led a 27-13 quarter to extend their advantage to 75-53 heading into the final frame.
‘We enjoyed throughout the game. We lost that enjoyment in Game 1. Today, we executed really well, we followed the game plan to a T. I hope we play the same way in Game 3,’ said Sierba, who scored 17 points on a blistering 6-of-7 shooting from the field along with five rebounds.
Santos, who was UST’s Game 2 hero last season with 27 points, was spectacular again with 15 points, seven assists, and four steals, while Ambos finished with 13 points and four rebounds.
Danganan added 11 points and three steals, while CJ Maglupay stepped up with five points and 15 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end.
Graduating guard and Season 85 MVP Eka Soriano, though contained at times, delivered eight assists and four rebounds while posting a plus-18 in her 22 minutes and 17 seconds on the floor.
The fastest-paced team in the eliminations returned to form, making the Lady Bulldogs pay for their 23 turnovers, which UST converted into 26 points, while also dominating the fastbreak, 17-4.
Tin Cayabyab led NU in the loss with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Marga Villanueva contributed 12 points.
Newly-crowned MVP Ann Pingol had eight points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks but was a minus-31 in her 25 minutes and 21 seconds on the court.
Angel Surada was limited to seven points, three rebounds, and two assists while committing four turnovers.
The Scores:
UST (95) – Sierba 17, Santos 15, Ambos 13, C. Danganan 11, Pastrana 8, Onianwa 8, Relliquette 6, Pineda 6, Bron 5, Maglupay 5, Soriano 1, Dajao 0, K. Danganan 0, Pescador 0.
NU (70) – Cayabyab 22, Villanueva 12, Pingol 8, Surada 7, Pring 6, Betanio 5, Solis 4, D. Medina 3, Alterado 3, Garcia 0, Canindo 0, S. Medina 0.
Quarterscores: 26-17, 48-40, 75-53, 95-70.