By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses survived a late run by the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles for a 77-74 victory in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, October 19.

Holding to a slim 62-57 lead after three quarters, the Growling Tigresses opened the fourth period with a 6-2 scoring blast behind Kent Jane Pastrana and Ana Tacatac to build a 74-64 advantage.

The Blue Eagles responded with a run to cut the deficit to 74-77 on two free throws by Kacey dela Rosa, but a split free throw by Eka Soriano with 7.6 seconds left sealed the win for the Growling Tigresses.

The Negrense Pastrana led the way with 16 points, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter, to go with eight rebounds and four steals as the Growling Tigresses improved to an 8-1 record.

Brigette Santos and Tacatac added 15 and 12 markers, respectively, while Karylle Sierba and Agatha Bron tallied 11 each for the defending UAAP women’s basketball champions.

“It’s a total team effort, of course, lahat nagtrabaho. Alam niyo naman ‘yung waterloo namin is si Kacey, so the girls really worked hard talaga para manalo today,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said.

Dela Rosa and Junize Calago finished with 23 points apiece to lead the Blue Eagles.

Sarah Makanjuola had a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds as they dropped to a 4-5 record./ASC, WDJ