THE UST Growling Tigresses outmuscled their finals tormentors NU Lady Bulldogs, 76-62, to secure their second win in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
UST dominated the glass, hauling down 78 rebounds, nearly doubling NU’s 37.
After a sluggish start, the home team closed the opening frame with a 9-0 run behind Oma Onianwa, Kent Pastrana and Karylle Sierba, to seize a 20-13 lead.
The España-based squad tightened its grip in the second frame and stretched the margin to 10 by halftime, 40-30.
Rachelle Ambos took charge in the third quarter, erupting for 10 points capped by a turnaround buzzer-beater that widened UST’s cushion to 60-42.
The Lady Bulldogs came barking back in the fourth, unleashing a 13-5 run to trim the gap to 65-55.
But the UST stayed composed down the stretch, fending off the rally to secure their second win of the season, 76-62.
Onianwa led the charge with a monster double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds, while captain Pastrana chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds.
Xyza Pring paced NU’s offense with 12 points and three assists.
The Tigresses aim to sustain their momentum when they face the UE Red Warriors on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the same venue. F
