THE UST Growling Tigresses end the first round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament on a high note after beating the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 82-66, on Saturday, Oct. 21.
This is UST’s second straight win off back-to-back losses to NU and UP, improving the Tigresses record to 5-2.
Reigning MVP Eka Soriano capped off an 11-2 run with a layup, giving UST an 18-point advantage in the closing minutes, 82-64, the biggest lead in the game.
The start of the first half was a tight match. UST was converting its shots, but FEU took the lead off center Josee Kaputu’s seven markers,15-17.
The Morayta-based squad maintained its momentum in the second frame with a nine-point advantage, 15-26. But tigress Kent Pastrana roared back, scoring 17 of UST’s 26 points in the quarter to retake the lead, 39-36.
Both teams traded baskets in the third quarter as Kaputu completed a three-point play to close the gap, 46-44. However, UST’s fiery offense scorched FEU’s defense as Soriano drilled a triple to stop the lady tamaraws’ momentum, 56-48.
Soriano finished with a strong double-double for the tigresses, scoring 17 points and dishing out 11 assists. Pastrana exploded with 28 points, five rebounds and six steals. Tigress Tantoy Ferrer chipped in 11 points.
Kaputu led FEU with 22 points, nine boards and two assists, while Queenie Aquino added 18 points with four three-pointers.
The UST Growling Tigresses will seek to extend their winning ways in the second round of the tournament after the Undas break. F – Shayne Lee Macaraeg and Mari Ymanuel Roxas
