By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana’s efforts were not enough as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses bowed to the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 76-70, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, November 6.

The Negrense guard finished with 14 points before sustaining an apparent ankle injury late in the game as the Growling Tigresses dropped to a 9-2 win-loss slate, still in second place.

Camille Clarin spearheaded the Lady Bulldogs’ offense with 21 points to go with seven rebounds, while Cielo Pagdulagan and Ilongga Ann Pingol added 17 and 11 markers, respectively.

The Lady Bulldogs, now with an 11-0 win-loss slate, moved three wins closer from sweeping the double-round eliminations and gaining an outright finals seat.

Down 51-53 midway through the third quarter, the Lady Bulldogs turned things around behind the offense of Pingol and Pagdulagan to establish a 70-59 advantage.

The Growling Tigresses responded with their own run to cut the deficit to 67-74 with more than a minute left, but the Lady Bulldogs got a layup from Angel Surada to seal the win.

“We’re happy with the win, but there is a lot of work to be done moving forward sa season na ito. We must get better at protecting leads,” NU head coach Aris Dimaunahan said.

Ilongga Ana Tacatac top-scored for the Growling Tigresses with 21 points, while Cindy Maglupay added 10 markers.

Meanwhile, the De La Salle University Lady Archers snapped a two-game losing streak with a come-from-behind 64-60 victory over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.

With the win, the Lady Archers kept their slim Final Four hopes alive, improving to a 3-8 win-loss record for fifth place in the standings and with three games remaining in the elimination round schedule.

Betts Binaohan spearheaded the Lady Archers with 15 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists, and Luisa San Juan contributed 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal./ASC, WDJ