TRAILING FOR most of the game, the UST Growling Tigresses secured a come-from-behind win over the Adamson Lady Falcons, 58-55, on Sept. 15 at the Adamson University Gymnasium.
Down by seven in crunch time, the Tigresses sparked a 6-0 run to take over the game and seal their third consecutive victory in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball eliminations.
UST opened the game with an 11-5 lead after a three-pointer from forward Nicole Danganan. Adamson, however, quickly caught up as Crisnalyn Padilla hit a triple of her own to overtake the lead, 17-12.
The Lady Falcons capitalized on UST’s missed opportunities to hold a 22-17 advantage to start the first frame.
Adamson managed to stay in control in the second salvo and extend its lead to seven, 35-28, in courtesy of another Padilla three-pointer.
The España cagers gained momentum at the start of the second half with former MVP Eka Soriano and Agatha Bron cutting the deficit to two, 38-36. Back-to-back triples from Soriano and Bron gave UST the lead, 44-40.
Adamson star Elaine Etang responded with a timely three-pointer to tie the game at 46-all heading into the fourth quarter.
The San Marcelino squad started the fourth frame with a 9-2 run led by Padilla’s three-point shooting, 55-48.
Deadlock at 55-all, Tigress Kent Pastrana clutched up with a fastbreak layup to give her team the lead with 90 seconds left.
The Mythical 5 member Pastrana led the Tigresses with a double-double built on 15 points and 11 boards. Forward Amby Ambos chipped in 10 markers.
Padilla led the Lady Falcons squad with a game-high 19 points, four boards and three assists. Etang added 11 points and three rebounds.
The defending champions will face championship rivals NU Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F – Mc Neil Zyh Serrano
