By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses capped the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball elimination round with a 70-52 triumph over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Saturday, November 23.

Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana finished with an all-around game of 10 points, six rebounds and six assists as the Growling Tigresses would head to the step-ladder semifinals with a 12-2 record.

“Nagbase talaga kami sa training namin. Coming into the Final Four, umpisa na kung ano ‘yung trabaho namin, kaya nagpukpok kami sa training, nagtulungan kami kung anong dapat itama sa defense, kasi doon kami nagkukulang,” Pastrana said.

Ilongga Ana Tacatac led UST’s onslaught with 14 points, all scored in the first half, as they would wait for the winner between the Adamson Lady Falcons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles for their semis opponent.

The Growling Tigresses held the Lady Archers to just three points in the opening period on a measly 1-of-14 shooting from the field while scoring 20 points themselves, setting the tone for a lopsided finish.

“We wanted to emphasize on our team defense, and I’m happy na ‘yung mga ginawa namin for the past week, nakuha ng mga bata. They gave La Salle a hard time in the first quarter,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said.

Luisa San Juan led all scorers with 15 points as La Salle ended their campaign with a 4-10 record in sixth./ASC, WDJ