THE UST Growling Tigresses put the league on notice with a 105-56 demolition of DLSU Lady Archers to open their UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball campaign on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST dictated the tempo all game long, torching DLSU 35-2 in transition.
Team captain Kent Pastrana kicked off her final season with 11 points and 11 assists. After the game, she expressed the need to be more communicative with the rookies.
“I always say to myself to really be vocal, be composed… I need to show the kids how I play,” Pastrana told The Flame.
Nigerian center Oma Onianwa opened the match with an and-1 layup to give UST an early 3-2 lead.
Transition layups from Pastrana and CJ Maglupay gave the Tigresses a 25-10 cushion to end the first frame.
Entering the second salvo, Kyla Sunga and Princess Villarin attempted to put DLSU back in the fight with consecutive layups through contact as they trailed, 27-15.
Veteran guard Eka Soriano and Jaja Pescador answered back with consecutive threes as the Tigresses’ lead ballooned to 21 entering halftime, 56-35.
Opening the third frame, Onianwa and sophomore guard Karylle Sierba turned defense into offense, giving the Tigresses a 60-37 advantage midway through the quarter.
UST forward Nicole Danganan then went on a personal 5-0 run to close the frame with her team still on top, 80-45.
Senior Rachelle Ambos continued the offensive onslaught for the Tigresses with two consecutive layups early in the fourth, 95-54.
A basket from Season 87 Girls’ Basketball MVP Barby Dajao put the finishing touches as UST mauled DLSU with a dominant 49-point beatdown.
Onianwa anchored the Tigresses with a double-double performance built on 15 points and 19 rebounds. Pescador and Breana Pineda combined for 24 points for their first win.
Tricia Mendoza paced the Lady Archers with 15 points in the losing effort.
UST will look to exact revenge against the NU Lady Bulldogs in a finals rematch on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. F
