REIGNING CHAMPIONS UST Growling Tigresses will enter the UAAP Season 87 semifinals on a winning note, finishing the eliminations with a dominant victory over the DLSU Lady Archers, 70-52, on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.UST ended the elimination round with a 12-2 win-loss slate and will face the winner between the Adamson Lady Falcons and Ateneo Blue Eagles in a stepladder knockout match.
After sweeping the elimination round, the NU Lady Bulldogs will go straight to the finals.
In the opening minutes, Tigress forward Nicole Danganan hit a basket to build an early 14-2 lead over the Lady Archers. The Tigresses banked on their commanding 20-3 opening frame to maintain control throughout the game.
DLSU senior Lee Sario converted a layup to ignite an 11-3 blitz, cutting her team’s deficit to 11 points, 25-14 in the second salvo.
The España squad answered back with its own 11-3 run capped off by a Brigette Santos layup to kill the Taft-based squad’s momentum by the end of the first half, 39-23.
UST continued its dominance in the second half as rookie Gin Relliquette sank a triple to secure a 19-point cushion, 57-38. The Tigresses then pulled away in the payoff period.
“We wanted to emphasize on our team defense and I’m happy that is what we did,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said postgame.
Tacky Tacatac led the Tigresses with 14 points, three assists and two rebounds. Kent Pastrana followed it up with 10 markers, six boards and six assists.
Despite the loss, DLSU sharpshooter Luisa San Juan displayed a remarkable performance with 15 points and five rebounds.
The UAAP has yet to release the schedule for the stepladder games. F
