MANILA – Ana “Tacky” Tacatac had her best performance of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball as University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses dominated University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 84-60, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Ilongga gunner connected 14 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter, as the Growling Tigresses solidified their hold on second place in the standings with a 5-1 win-loss record.
“Sana tuloy-tuloy na ‘yung pagputok niya. It will give us more space in our offense, kasi talagang nakatutok ‘yung defenders kay Tacky,” Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong said.
“Sabi nga, ‘A shooter will always be a shooter.’ Kahit hindi nagshu-shoot si Tacky, ‘yung spacing namin will have room to operate for Kent (Pastrana) and doon sa mga players ko na nagda-drive,” she added.
Negrense Pastrana continued her stellar play for UST, adding 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals, and rookie Karylle Sierba contributed 11 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Kye Pesquera led the Fighting Maroons with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Louna Ozar and Christie Bariquit contributed 14 points each. They dropped to 2-4.
Meanwhile, Kacey Dela Rosa recorded her sixth double-double of the season as Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles secured a 90-62 rout over University of the East Lady Warriors.
The reigning UAAP Women’s Basketball MVP finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds to go with three blocks, and two assists as the Blue Eagles win their second consecutive game for a 2-4 record.
Nigerian student-athlete Sarah Makanjuola, on the other hand, contributed a double-double of 14 points and 17 rebounds, along with three blocks and two steals for the Blue Eagles.
“We will always start from the inside; that’s not a secret. We will live and die with how we play. That’s the identity of the Ateneo women’s basketball team,” said Ateneo head coach LA Mumar./PN
