The UST Growling Tigresses extended their dominance, thwarting the UP Fighting Maroons’ comeback efforts and seizing a commanding 84-60 victory in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
The defending champions managed to overcome the Fighting Maroons’ surge during the third quarter in their Final Four rematch at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
During their do-or-die game last year, the Tigresses secured a finals spot in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament after a thrilling 87-83 victory over the Fighting Maroons in a rubber match.
This time, the UST steadily built its momentum in the opening salvo after a successful three-pointer shot from Tigress guard Kent Pastrana and a layup from forward Rachel Ambos, 11-7.
Tigress guard Eka Soriano further widened the gap for UST after dropping a back-to-back board shot and a three-pointer basket, 19-12.
UST remained in control by unleashing its strong defense and a triple from captain Tacky Tacatac to close out the quarter, 26-16.
The España squad continued its dominance in the second quarter, with Pastrana and rookie Gin Reliquette throwing down back-to-back three-pointers, 34-16.
UP tried to chip away with back-to-back triples from Fighting Maroon Christie Bariquit, 42-26. However, UST’s offensive flow remained relentless as Ambos capped the quarter with an alley-oop, keeping the Tigresses comfortably ahead at 44-27.
It was a different story in the third frame when Fighting Maroon Kye Pesquera sparked UP’s fierce comeback with a three-pointer and a series of baskets to trim UST’s lead to 53-44.
The successive offense-defense pattern of Fighting Maroons Louna Ozar and Shanina Tapawan allowed UP to cut the deficit to just six points, putting pressure on the Growling Tigresses as they headed into the final quarter, 59-53.
UST immediately regrouped in the final quarter as Tacatac unleashed a barrage of three-pointers, propelling the Tigresses to a dominant 84-60 victory over UP.
Former Mythical Five members Pastrana and Tacatac spearheaded the Tigresses’ offense, contributing 21 points, four assists, and two steals, along with 20 points from Tacatac.
“In the fourth quarter, our coach told us to focus on defense before offense to halt UP’s momentum, so we concentrated on defense, and then our offense just flowed from there,” Tacatac told The Flame.
Pesquera led UP’s charge with 20 points, three assists, and two steals.
With a 5-1 win-loss record, the UST Growling Tigresses aim to end the Round 1 eliminations with a win when they face the FEU Tamaraws on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the same venue. F
