MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses used a strong finishing kick to overcome Adamson University Lady Falcons 60-47 in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
UST held a 49-37 lead after rookie Karylle Sierba’s basket at the eight-minute mark of the final quarter. Both teams then endured a nearly five-minute scoring drought until Adamson’s Victoria Adeshina broke the silence with an inside basket with just over three minutes remaining.
The Growling Tigresses then went on a finishing run behind a three-pointer from Ilongga Ana Tacatac and inside conversions from Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana, Eka Soriano, and Bridgette Santos to put the game away for good.
Tacatac spearheaded the attack with 13 points, Pastrana finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Santos contributed 10 markers for the Growling Tigresses, now with an 11-2 win-loss slate.
The defending champions, Growling Tigresses, also secured the No. 2 spot and will have a twice-to-beat incentive regardless if the Final Four format is the traditional or step-ladder format.
Adeshina finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Falcons, which slid to an 8-5 record for third place.
Meanwhile, Final Four-bound Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles fought off the tough challenge by University of the East Lady Warriors for a 64-54 win.
Kacey Dela Rosa notched her 13th double-double of the season with 19 points and 14 rebounds while also tallying five blocks and four steals as the Blue Eagles head to the Final Four round with an 8-5 record.
Nigerian center Sarah Makanjuola finished with 14 points, while Sandra Villacruz and Nicole Aguirre stepped up with 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Ateneo, which played without suspended Junize Calago.
“I am happy we won the game but also not content heading to the Final Four. We told the girls we take it day by day, hoping that every game would help us improve going to the Final Four,” said Ateneo assistant coach Bacon Austria./PN
