IN WHAT served as a finals preview, the UST Junior Growling Tigresses dealt the first loss of the erstwhile undefeated NUNS Lady Bullpups with a thrilling 73-71 victory in the UAAP Season 88 girls’ basketball tournament on Sunday, March 8, at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.
Both squads finish the elimination round with identical 5-1 records, setting up a finals showdown yet to be scheduled.
The duo of Lea Pinuela and Jesabel Anacan combined for 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists to power the Junior Tigresses.
After falling into an early 0-9 hole, UST rallied behind key baskets from Sofia Petalcorin, Pinuela and Janice Oczon, seizing momentum to close the first quarter with a 25-15 lead.
The Tigresses sustained their offensive rhythm in the second frame, keeping the Lady Bullpups at bay and maintaining a 10-point lead at halftime, 44-34.
Though a late NUNS rally trimmed the deficit, UST remained in control after the break, entering the final period with a 61-47 advantage.
The Lady Bullpups mounted a fierce 24-12 run in the fourth quarter behind Aubrey Lapasaran and Zuzzane Singson, with Adin Rosano’s three-pointer cutting the gap to just two points at 73-71.
With the possession on the side of the Tigresses, they preserved their slim two-point lead by burning the remaining 20 ticks off the clock until the final buzzer.
UST’s Petalcorin contributed 14 points, while Riri Perez added nine.
Despite the close loss, Rosano tallied a game-high 21 points, to go along with six rebounds and eight assists. Lapasaran dropped 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. F
