By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana delivered timely hits as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses scored a 78-68 victory over the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, December 11.

Struggling with her points for most part of the game, Pastrana came up with consecutive baskets as the Growling Tigresses turned a slim 66-62 lead to a 73-65 spread with less than two minutes left in the game.

Pastrana, a member of the UAAP women’s basketball Mythical Five, finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals as the Growling Tigresses tied the best-of-three title series at 1-1.

Bridgette Santos top-scored with a career-high of 27 points, while rookie Karylle Sierba stepped up with 18 points, with 14 coming in the fourth quarter, for the Growling Tigresses.

“I’m very proud because it’s a team effort talaga from offense to defense. Regardless sa Game 3, sabi ko nga sa mga bata, sobrang proud ako sa kanila,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said.

“Even though we’re undersized, undermanned, no foreign student-athlete, pinakita ng mga bata na kaya namin,” the former national team head coach added, as NU barely won the rebounding battle against UST, 46-41.

Cielo Pagdulagan top-scored for the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points, while Camille Clarin and Ilongga Karl Ann Pingol contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively.

This was also NU’s first defeat of the season./ASC, WDJ

UST 78 — Santos 27, Sierba 18, Pastrana 11, Bron 8, Soriano 6, Danganan 6, Maglupay 2, Tacatac 0, Ambos 0, Serrano 0.

NU 68 — Pagdulagan 16, Clarin 12, Pingol 11, Surada 10, Fabruada 5, Villanueva 5, Betanio 4, Konateh 3, Canuto 2, Cayabyab 0, Talas 0.

Quarterscores: 20-9, 32-25, 48-49, 78-68.