THE UST Growling Tigresses asserted their dominance over the DLSU Lady Archers, 97-74, in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tigresses preserved their undefeated 9-0 record, while the Lady Archers plummeted at the bottom of the standings with a 1-8 standing.
Captain Bridgette Santos powered the pack’s offensive charge with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Karylle Sierba and Oma Onianwa contributed 17 and 14 points, respectively.
The Tigresses overcame an early 0-4 deficit with a relentless 14-2 run, charged by Santos’ and Sierba’s aggressive drives, as Rachelle Ambos delivered a trey to help UST close the opening quarter with a 23-15 advantage.
Despite the Taft-based squad’s repeated offensive barrage, Santos and Onianwa kept the España-based squad to maintain their lead in the second quarter.
The Tigresses mounted a late offensive surge led by Ambos and Agatha Bron, with Sierba adding back-to-back triples to give UST a 13-point cushion at halftime, 43-30.
Despite DLSU’s early third quarter run, Onianwa continued to assert her authority in the paint, while Sierba’s freebies and Erinn McAlary’s pivotal three-pointer helped UST offensively, ballooning its lead to as high as 18 points, 67-53.
Showing no signs of slowing down in the final quarter, Grachelle Boteros and Ambos delivered the finishing blows in the closing minutes as the squad cruised to an overwhelming 97-74 victory over the Lady Archers.
Marga Dueñas led the Lady Archers with 18 points and four rebounds while Kyla Go and Favour Ojo contributed both 17 points.
The Growling Tigresses will next square off against the third-ranked FEU Lady Tamaraws on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. F -Liam Viray
