DEFENDING CHAMPIONS UST Junior Growling Tigresses flexed their might as they obliterated the Ateneo Blue Eagles by 104 points, 136-32, registering the third largest winning margin in the UAAP girls’ basketball tournament on Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Earlier this week, the NUNS Lady Bullpups recorded the league’s largest winning margin in Season 88 with a 126-point demolition of Ateneo, 155-29, eclipsing by two points the previous mark set by the Junior Tigresses last season against the same opponent.
The game opened in a tight contest, 18-14, before UST unleashed a 41-7 second salvo run to build a 59-21 advantage at the half.
UST continued to dominate in the third period, outscoring Ateneo 34-6 to stretch its lead to 93-27 heading into the final 10 minutes. The defending champions then unloaded a 43-5 closing blitz, dealing Ateneo’s second 100-point drubbing.
Beyond the lopsided victory, UST also dominated the stat sheet, carving out 112 points in the paint, 66 fastbreak points and 47 points off turnovers en route to a 2-0 start.
Nadine Labay and Janice Oczon combined for 41 points to lead the scoring for the Junior Tigresses. Indonesian center Koukou Talla added 18 markers and four blocks, while Season 87 Rookie of the Year Riri Perez tallied a triple-double built on 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
For the Blue Eagles, Matia Molina had 11 markers in the loss.
Junior Tigresses are set to have a finals rematch against the Lady Bullpups on Sunday, Feb. 1, still at the Blue Eagle Gym. F – E. B.
