By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana made some valuable contributions as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses defeated the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 84-57, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Negrense cager finished with 11 points, mostly coming in the second half, as the Growling Tigresses remained in second place in the standings with a 7-1 win-loss record.

Ilongga Ana Tacatac spearheaded the offense with 23 points, including five three-point conversions, while rookie Karylle Sierba and Cindy Maglupay had 15 and 10, respectively, for UST.

“Sinabihan lang kami ni coach sa dugout na kailangan namin mag-focus sa defense kasi useless ang score namin. Pinapa-score din namin ang kalaban, kaya ‘di kami nakakalayo. Buti nung second half na-stop namin ‘yung UP,” said Tacatac.

From a slim 41-38 lead at the half, the Growling Tigresses went on a 19-8 scoring blast in the third quarter behind Pastrana and Sierba as they established a 60-46 advantage.

The Growling Tigresses continued their run in the final quarter with Tacatac connecting from the outside as the lead reached its largest at 29 points at 84-55 late in the fourth quarter.

“I just told the girls that at the start of the second round we want to be better, we want to be more consistent, we want to be stronger, and the girls did it,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said.

“[The] first half was a seesaw battle from UP. Sabi ko lang sa dugout na kami naman [ang dapat mag-dominate] sa second half,” she added.

Louna Ozar tallied 15 points and seven rebounds, while Negrense Kye Pesquera added 10 markers as the Fighting Maroons dropped to a 3-5 record.

Meanwhile, the National University Lady Bulldogs (8-0) continued their unbeaten run after a dominant 82-62 victory over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (4-4) to start their second round campaign./ASC, WDJ