THE UST Growling Tigresses reignited their championship hopes as they took a dominant 90-75 win over the NU Lady Bulldogs, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball finals on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Sophomore guard Karylle Sierba answered the call with an efficient 17-point performance on 6-of-7 shooting, sending the series to a winner-take-all showdown for the crown.
“In our last game, we shied away from our identity. But now, it’s a total team effort,” Tigress head coach Haydee Ong said postgame at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“We had relentless defense from the start until the end. I think that set the tone for us,” she added.
The Tigresses fired an early 20-5 barrage after key baskets from Rachelle Ambos and Coi Danganan.
Season 88 MVP Karl Pingol and Angel Surada kept the team afloat but a drive by CJ Maglupay ended the opener in favor of UST, 26-17.
Bulldog Marga Villanueva unloaded three triples to cut their deficit by eight midway through the second frame, 46-38. However, Ambos hit two freebies for a 48-40 advantage at the end of the half.
Danganan fired a left-corner triple to cap an 11-0 blitz midway through the third quarter, ballooning her team’s lead by 23, 69-46.
The España squad held onto the lead as Mythical Five member Kent Pastrana and sophomore guard Breana Pineda put the finishing touches to force Game 3.
Santos added 15 markers and seven assists. while Ambos chipped in 13 points and four boards to save the Tigresses’ campaign.
Meanwhile, veteran Kristine Cayabyab paced NU with 22 points, while Pingol was limited to eight markers and 10 boards.
The Tigresses will look to cap their dominant season with a title on Sunday, Dec. 14, at the same venue. F
