THE UST Growling Tigresses displayed total team effort, handing the Ateneo Blue Eagles a 23-point beatdown, 77-54, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball eliminations on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
The defending champions showcased their mastery over last season’s fourth-placers by sinking 12 triples compared to Ateneo’s two at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The first quarter saw a tight exchange between the two teams, until Mythical Five member Kent Pastrana converted back-to-back baskets to give UST a 19-15 lead.
UST widened the gap to nine after forward Rachelle Ambos went for an easy bucket, 27-18. Captain Tacky Tacatac then sank a buzzer-beater triple, allowing UST to close the opening frame with a 12-point lead, 32-20.
The Blue Eagles, led by reigning MVP Kacey dela Rosa, outscored the Tigresses 14-12 in the second salvo to trim the deficit by 10 points by the end of the first half, 44-34.
Pastrana halted Ateneo’s momentum at the start of the second half after firing from the top of the key, 49-41.
UST continued to fire up from the three-point territory as former MVP Eka Soriano and Tacatac sank back-to-back triples to extend their lead to 19 points, 69-50.
The Tigresses capped off a 13-4 run in the last minutes of the fourth with a follow-up basket from rookie Breana Pineda to gain a 23-point cushion, 77-54.
Pastrana showcased her prowess for the España squad, tallying 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Tacatac chipped in 14 markers with 4-for-10 form deep, while Soriano added 12 points, seven assists and three boards.
Meanwhile, dela Rosa hard-carried the Katipunan-based squad, racking up 22 points and 20 rebounds.
The Tigresses will aim for an unblemished 3-0 record as they take on the Adamson Lady Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Adamson University Gym. F – Nicole Atuan
