By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Angelina Villasin drained a go-ahead layup to complete the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses’ fightback from 15 points down to dethrone the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 71-69, in the do-or-die Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

Down by as much as 15 points in the third quarter, the Growling Tigresses leaned on the exploits of Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana, Reynalyn Ferrer and Bridgette Santos to force a deadlock at 69-all with less than a minute left.

Following a missed shot by the Lady Bulldogs, Ferrer found Villasin all alone on the other side for a layup to give the Growling Tigresses a 71-69 advantage with 11 seconds left.

The Lady Bulldogs still had their last opportunity to take the championship, but Kristine Cayabyab’s three-point attempt was foiled by the defense of the Growling Tigresses.

Ferrer finished with a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds to be named Finals MVP, while Pastrana and Villasin chipped in 16 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Growling Tigresses.

This was the Growling Tigresses’ first UAAP women’s basketball championship since 2006, and their third women’s crown overall in the Final Four era.

Cayabyab tallied 18 points, including three outside shots. Princess Fabruada and Ilongga Karl Ann Pingol added 13 and 11 markers, respectively, for the seven-time defending champion Lady Bulldogs.

UST 71 — Ferrer 19, Pastrana 16, Villasin 12, Tacatac 9, Dionisio 4, Santos 4, Bron 4, Ambos 3, Maglupay 0, Soriano 0, Amatong 0, Serrano 0.

NU 69 — Cayabyab 18, Fabruada 13, Pingol 11, Surada 9, Berberabe 9, Canuto 5, Clarin 2, Konateh 2, Betanio 0, Solis 0, Bartolo 0.

Quarterscores: 19-19, 32-44, 47-61, 71-69./ASC, WDJ