UST FORCES GAME 3 WITH DOMINANT WIN OVER NU
By: Joaquin Cortez
After a flawless 14-0 sweep of the elimination round, the Strong Group-backed University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses refused to let their perfect run end in defeat. With a statement-making 95-70 triumph over the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, UST turned the finals series into a winner-take-all showdown.
The riveting rivalry between these storied programs will now go to a Game 3, as the Growling Tigresses aim to reclaim the crown they lost last season, while the Lady Bulldogs chase a ninth title in 10 seasons. The decisive clash is set for Sunday at the bayside Pasay arena.
“We shied away from our identity in Game 1. We did not run, we did not play our defense. Ngayon, it’s a total team effort. The first group set the tone, we have relentless defense from the start until the end of the game, I think that sets the tone for us,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong after the wire-to-wire victory, which saw the Tigresses lead by as much as 31 points, 87-56.
Coming off an 79-84 Game 1 setback, UST raced to a 20-5 start fueled by Rachelle Ambos and Coi Danganan. NU managed to cut the deficit to eight by halftime, 48-40, but the Growling Tigresses unleashed a decisive third quarter. Brigette Santos, Kent Pastrana, Danganan, and Onianwa orchestrated a 27-13 surge that pushed UST ahead 75-53 heading into the final frame.
“Nag-enjoy lang kami sa game. Nung Game 1 nga nawala ‘yung enjoyment, sobrang nag-focus talaga kami. Ngayon, sobrang ganda ng sistema namin ngayon, lahat nasunod. Sana sa Game 3 ganon pa rin kami,” said Sierba, who scored 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting with five rebounds.
Brigette Santos, last season’s Game 2 hero with 27 points, starred again with 15 points, seven assists, and four steals. Rachelle Ambos added 13 points and four rebounds, while Danganan contributed 11 points and three steals. CJ Maglupay chipped in five points and 15 rebounds, eight on the offensive glass.
Graduating guard and Season 85 MVP Eka Soriano provided eight assists and four rebounds while posting a plus-18 in 22 minutes of play.
UST, the fastest-paced team in the eliminations, punished NU’s 23 turnovers for 26 points and dominated fastbreak scoring, 17-4, to secure the win.
