By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses opened their title defense with a dominant 86-44 victory over the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors at the start of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, September 8.

Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana finished with 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds as the Golden Tigresses opened their UAAP women’s basketball title-retention bid on a winning note.

Rookie Karylle Sierba spearheaded the attack with 18 points to go with four rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Rachelle Anne Ambos had a near triple-double of 13 points, 13 rebounds and eight steals for UST.

From a slim 15-13 lead after the opening quarter, the Growling Tigresses went on a huge 26-11 scoring run in the second frame behind Sierba and Ambos for a 41-24 halftime lead.

The Growling Tigresses continued their onslaught in the third quarter with a huge 21-10 blast as the lead reached its largest at 46 points in the fourth quarter.

“I think we have to correct our turnovers. Madami pa rin,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said.

“Baka may mga first-game jitters. We started very excited. It’s all unforced turnovers. Hopefully, sa next games, medyo maremedyohan namin ‘yung mga turnovers namin,” she added.

Rachel Lacayanga finished with 11 points and six rebounds for the Lady Warriors, which are on a 38-game losing skid./ASC, WDJ

UST 86 — Sierba 18, Pastrana 15, Ambos 13, Danganan 7, Soriano 6, Tacatac 5, Santos 5, Relliquette 5, Bron 4, Maglupay 4, Pineda 2, Serrano 2, Dionisio 0, Pescador 0, Lopez 0, Amatong 0.

UE 44 — Lacayanga 11, Kone 8, Ronquillo 8, Ganade 6, Vacalares 6, Yanez 3, Buscar 2, Dublar 0, Ruiz 0, Cruz 0.

Quarterscores: 15-13, 41-24, 62-34, 86-44.