MANILA – Karylle Sierba took charge in the fourth quarter as University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses scored a 78-68 victory over National University Lady Bulldogs in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball Finals on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After failing to protect their early 15-point first half advantage, the Growling Tigresses regained their offense in the fourth quarter behind Sierba and Bridgette Santos to establish a 66-59 lead.
The Lady Bulldogs cut the deficit to 62-66 on a Camille Clarin triple, but the Growling Tigresses responded with conversions from Santos and Kent Jane Pastrana to increase the lead to 73-65.
Sierba finished with 18 points, with 14 coming in the fourth quarter, as the Growling Tigresses tied the best-of-three championship series at 1-1, forcing a do-or-die Game 3 on Sunday.
Santos led the way for the reigning champions Growling Tigresses with 27 points, while Negrense Pastrana overcame her first half struggles to end up with 11 markers.
“I’m very proud because it’s a team effort talaga from offense to defense. Regardless sa Game 3, sabi ko nga sa mga bata, sobrang proud ako sa kanila,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong.
“Even though we’re undersized, undermanned, no foreign student-athlete, pinakita ng mga bata na kaya namin,” added the former national team head caoch as NU barely won the rebounding battle against UST, 46-41.
Cielo Pagdulagan top-scored for the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points, while Camille Clarin and Ilongga Karl Ann Pingol contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively. This was also NU’s first defeat of the season./PN
BOX SCORE:
UST 78 – Santos 27, Sierba 18, Pastrana 11, Bron 8, Soriano 6, Danganan 6, Maglupay 2, Tacatac 0, Ambos 0, Serrano 0.
NU 68 – Pagdulagan 16, Clarin 12, Pingol 11, Surada 10, Fabruada 5, Villanueva 5, Betanio 4, Konateh 3, Canuto 2, Cayabyab 0, Talas 0.
Quarterscores: 20-9, 32-25, 48-49, 78-68.
