UST CLINCHES FIRST FINAL FOUR SPOT WITH WIN OVER ADAMSON

By: Joaquin Cortez

The Strong Group-powered University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses punched their ticket to the Final Four after dismantling the Adamson Lady Falcons, 95-66, in Round 2 of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, October 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

UST became the first team this season to secure a Final Four berth, remaining unbeaten through nine games, while Adamson fell to a 3-6 record.

Kent Pastrana led the Tigresses with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals, while Karylle Sierba chipped in 13 points, four assists, and four steals in the convincing win.

“It’s a total team effort,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong. “Sabi ko nga kanina sa girls sa dugout, it’s not about the winning streak or unbeatable record; it’s about how we show up every game and ‘yong hunger namin.”

Adamson came out firing early, igniting a 12-6 run capped by a Niclen Manlimos three-pointer to grab a 22-16 lead. UST found itself playing catch-up, trailing 26-24 at the end of the first quarter.

With the Tigresses down 31-26, they responded with a fiery 17-7 run, capped by a Sierba layup that gave them a 43-36 advantage. UST carried the momentum into halftime with a commanding 51-40 cushion.

The Tigresses opened the third quarter with another burst — a 17-5 run punctuated by Rachelle Ambos’ banked triple — extending their lead to 22, 67-45, before entering the final frame comfortably ahead, 73-53.

Adamson never recovered, as Sierba’s layup midway through the fourth ballooned the lead to 27, 81-54, effectively sealing UST’s dominant victory and their Final Four ticket.

Coi Danganan and Ambos each tallied 11 points, while Erinn McAlary added eight, all in the fourth quarter.

The Growling Tigresses will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 games when they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, November 5, at the same venue.