THE UST Growling Tigresses remained as the only unbeaten squad in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament after toppling the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 75-66, on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.
UST moved atop the standings with a clean 4-0 slate, while Ateneo suffered its first loss of the season for a 4-1 record.
Tigresses star Kent Pastrana racked up a season-high 28 points with 11 rebounds, while Karylle Sierba and Brig Santos added 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
“As a leader, I just told my teammates to step up because Oma [Onianwa] was having an off game,” Pastrana told The Flame.
“Of course, I’m thankful to my teammates because when the coaches needed them, they were there to contribute,” she added.
After a tightly contested 19-all first quarter, the home team found its rhythm late in the second frame unleashing an 8-0 blitz to seize a 41-35 cushion at halftime.
The Tigresses clawed back in the third as Pastrana and Rachelle Ambos ignited a 13-2 run that flipped the momentum and pushed their team ahead, 46-41.
Eka Soriano then took command, drilling back-to-back jumpers to cap a 10-0 surge and give UST a 56-48 cushion entering the final quarter.
Ateneo refused to fold in the fourth, trimming the double-digit gap to 68-64 with three minutes remaining.
But the España-based squad kept its poise in the clutch, forcing key turnovers leaning on Pastrana’s timely baskets to secure the victory.
Camille Malagar paced the Blue Eagles with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Gilas standout Kacey dela Rosa was limited to six markers.
The Tigresses will aim to keep their perfect run alive against the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena. F
