By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Growling Tigresses ruled the UAAP Season 87 girls basketball tournament with a 63-57 victory over the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups in Game 2 of the finals at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Thursday, March 20.
Negrense Barby Dajao, the season’s Most Valuable Player, finished with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Junior Growling Tigresses, which wrapped up the best-of-three title series at 2-0.
Sandra Abrantes added 14 points, with nine coming in the fourth quarter, to go with five rebounds as the Junior Growling Tigresses ended the season without a loss in eight games.
Down 52-57 with more than four minutes left, Abrantes connected on two free throws, an inside basket, a split free throw, and another inside hit to surge the Junior Growling Tigresses ahead at 59-57 with more than a minute left.
Following misses from the Lady Bullpups, Dajao scored on a fastbreak layup to widen the Junior Growling Tigresses’ lead to 61-57 before Abrantes sealed the championship with another inside basket.
Technically, this was the Junior Growling Tigresses’ second consecutive UAAP girls basketball title after being declared co-champions in UAAP Season 82, the last time the division was played.
Aubrey Lapasaran finished with 22 points, while Zaydhen Rosano added a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Lady Bullpups.
Meanwhile, UST Tiger Cubs forced a do-or-die Game 3 in the boys basketball tournament finals after an 89-85 Game 2 victory over the NUNS Bullpups.
Koji Buenaflor led the way with 24 points, Charles Esteban added 16 markers, while Carl Manding and Kirk Canete contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Tiger Cubs./ASC, WDJ
UST 63 — Dajao 22, Abrantes 14, Tambawan 6, Wenceslao 6, Insoy 5, Pinuela 5, Perez 3, Anonuevo 2, Banate 0, Oñate 0.
NUNS 57 — Lapasaran 22, Rosano 12, Abong 6, Pascua 5, Avila 4, Trinidad 4, Sales 2, Mallari 2, Badajos 0, Singson 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 42-39, 50-53, 63-57.