AFTER marching into the finals unbeaten, the UST Growling Tigresses endured their first defeat as they bowed to the NU Lady Bulldogs, 84-79, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball finals on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Tigresses’ 14-0 elimination sweep earned them a direct berth into the finals, but the loss now puts them at risk of dropping back-to-back title series to NU.
NU’s second unit torched UST offensively, outscoring the Tigresses in bench points, 47-29.
Both teams exchanged blows to open the match, but Lady Bulldog Marylene Solis’ three closed the quarter with NU on top, 16-13.
The España squad retaliated in the second salvo, as a three from Bridgette Santos gave her team a 22-19 lead.
But a Marga Villanueva triple, followed by poor offense from UST, ballooned NU’s lead entering halftime, 42-35.
The Tigresses came alive early in the third frame, as Karylle Sierba and Eka Soriano ignited a 16-2 run that put UST ahead, 53-47.
After a nip-and-tuck affair, Marga Villanueva’s layup gave NU back the edge to enter the final 12 minutes, 61-60.
Early in the fourth quarter, Villanueva then hit a three to break a 70-all tie. Making the most out of the Tigresses’ dry spell, Angel Surada’s layup sealed the victory for the Jhocson squad.
Surada led the team to victory with 19 points, seven rebounds and five steals, while Villanueva and Tine Cayabyab added 17 and 11 markers, respectively
Soriano paced UST with 20 points in the losing effort, while Kent Pastrana added 15 markers and 10 rebounds.
The Tigresses will look to even up the series on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena. F
