AFTER AN unsuccessful title defense last year, the UST Growling Tigresses are looking to bounce back in Season 88 with reloaded firepower to be provided by their young talents and a new foreign student-athlete.
Despite stellar numbers from Mythical Five member Kent Pastrana, who averaged 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game, and veteran sharp shooter Tacky Tacatac’s 12.6 points per outing, the Tigresses still could not hurdle their familiar tormentors, the NU Lady Bulldogs.
With Tacatac’s departure leaving a hole on offense, UST turns to its newest reinforcement, together with homegrown prospect Barby Dajao, to help carry the load this season.
Head coach Haydee Ong believes the recruitment of Nigerian center Oma Onianwa will fill a “piece of the puzzle” that was missing last season and the departures from the Season 86 team that brought the title home.
The veteran tactician denied that the team was complacent last season, saying the culture of the program maintains the grit that prompted the Tigresses to clinch the championship two seasons ago.
“Last year, we were just undermanned. This year, with the addition of Oma [Onianwa], our FSA (foreign student-athlete) to the team, that’s an added value for us to reclaim the crown,” Ong told The Flame.
For her, reinforcements like Onianwa will only boost the program’s steady commitment to player growth and readiness.
“Our program focuses on player development. We make sure that our players improve every season,” she said.
“So whatever we lose, we make up for it by ensuring that someone will step up to fill that spot… That’s what will happen again this season”.
Behind the leadership of now-seniors Pastrana and Eka Soriano, new faces will have to drive the fast break of the Tigresses’ redemption run.
Reloading the roster
For the España squad, the wait is over as the much-anticipated foreign student-athlete has completed the yearlong residency requirement.
Onianwa first suited up for the Tigresses in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational, where she helped power the team all the way to the finals.
For Onianwa, the transition to the España-based squad was smooth, although it took a lot of work.
“It took a lot of work for me to fit in the system… It wasn’t difficult because my coaches and my teammates were really pushing me and helping me go one step at a time,” Onianwa told The Flame.
“I just adapted and [you know] the team chemistry got along so I was able to play with my teammates,” she added.
Ong said the addition of Onianwa to the roster introduced an interior presence that the team lacked previously.
“Now we have a legitimate post player we can rely on… we finally have an inside threat that we didn’t have in past seasons,” the coach said.
The 6-foot-3 Nigerian center will be eligible to play for two seasons starting Season 88.
Joining her is the Season 87 Girls’ Basketball MVP Dajao, the only product of the Junior Tigresses to make the senior roster this year.
Adjusting to the collegiate stage, Dajao embraces the challenge of making an impact despite limited minutes and the steep transition in competition.
“Since I may not get big minutes, I’ll focus on passing, defending, and knocking down outside shots when I get the chance,” the rookie told The Flame.
After capping her high school career with a championship, Dajao committed to the seniors’ squad, gaining the chance to learn from and build chemistry with her new teammates at their summer training in Tokyo, Japan.
“What I learned in Japan is the importance of speed… At the collegiate level, I need to adjust—develop my outside shooting, improve my passing, and build strength to compete,” she added.
Co-captain Soriano saw the potential of the newcomers as a perfect fit to UST’s system.
“They’ve been a huge boost for us—first, because of their height, which is an advantage in basketball, and second, because their skills and talent fit perfectly into the system of our coaches and UST,” she said.
Also among the new faces are two fresh high school graduates Erinn McAlary and Naysa Tate from Australia. While Tate will be suited up for next year, McAlary is set to make her mark this season.
Unfinished business
With all eyes on the Tigers’ lair this upcoming season, Ong acknowledged the weight of expectations, but gave an assurance that the focus of her team has been sharpened.
“Every season, there’s always pressure… But the fact that we’ve reached the finals for the past two years shows that the girls have learned to embrace it,” the tactician said.
“Playing under pressure is important — it brings out the best in the players, and for us coaches, it gives us a clear goal,” she added.
The squad will also be backed by guards Bridgette Santos and Karylle Sierba, along with Agatha Bron, CJ Maglupay, Ayesha Pescador, Breana Pineda, Gin Reliquette, Chille Serrano, Coi and Kai Danganan.
Meanwhile, Pastrana, who is entering her final season, is eyeing to steer her team and reclaim the crown.
“Personally, I’m really eager to bounce back, especially since this is my last playing year. Next year I won’t get another chance,” she said.
Onianwa echoed the same hunger, saying she strives to be a winner wherever she goes.
“Wherever I play, I’ve always known how to be a winner and that’s the same energy I’m bringing here with UST,” she said.
“So I want to win, we want the crown back and we will definitely get it back.”
The Tigresses will kick off their redemption campaign against the DLSU Lady Spikers on Sept. 27 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F – with reports from Mc Neil Zyh Serrano
