IT WAS a perfect ending to Kent Pastrana’s UST chapter as the Growling Tigresses stormed to the Season 88 women’s 3×3 basketball title, routing the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the finale, 21-11, on Sunday, May 3.
After last year’s bronze medal finish, the Tigresses bounced back to secure their third 3×3 championship in four seasons, with Pastrana taking home MVP honors at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
UST posted an unprecedented 25-1 combined record this season, going 16-1 in the 5×5 tournament and a flawless 9-0 in the 3×3 contest to sweep both titles.
The España squad’s lone loss came against the NU Lady Bulldogs in Game 1 of the women’s 5×5 finals last December.
“I’m thankful for my teammates who always fought until the end… Their hearts always had a fighting spirit on and off the court,” Pastrana told The Flame postgame.
Tigresses Coi Danganan and Bridgette Santos sparked a dominant 12-4 run to balloon their cushion to 15-6.
The Lady Tamaraws tried to mount a comeback behind Maria Pasilang, who scored four straight points to cut the lead to 15-10.
UST quickly shut them down, going on a 6-1 blitz from a Santos stepback jumper and a Pastrana bucket, before Danganan sank a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left to seal the game.
Danganan led the charge in the knockout finale with nine points, 11 rebounds and a block, while Pastrana added five markers, three boards and three assists.
On FEU’s side, Pasilang scored six points.
Before the championship match, UST, which also fielded Erinn Mcalary and Karylle Sierba in the lineup, first dispatched the Adamson Lady Falcons in the semifinals, 21-11. F
