By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses remained unstoppable in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament, rolling to their fifth straight win with a commanding 104-66 rout of Far Eastern University (FEU) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, October 15.
Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana once again led by example for UST, anchoring the team’s relentless two-way play with 15 points and four assists, while also steering the Tigresses’ trademark defensive pressure that kept FEU off balance throughout the contest.
UST came out firing from the opening buzzer, storming to a 33-20 lead in the first quarter and stretching the gap to 57-37 by halftime.
The Tigresses never looked back, converting turnovers into transition baskets and shooting a red-hot 50 percent from the field (38-of-76).
Head coach Haydee Ong credited her players’ focus and defensive discipline against an FEU squad coming off a strong win over University of the Philippines (UP).
“I told the girls that it was a very good game of FEU against UP, so we needed to prepare for them because that’s the best game of the season for FEU,” said Ong, who coached against her former Discovery Perlas player, FEU’s Raiza Palmera-Dy.
“We prepared a game plan and nasunod naman ng buong team, so we’re happy for the win,” she added.
Karylle Sierba topscored for UST with 21 points and four rebounds, while Pastrana, Gin Relliquette (14 points) and CJ Maglupay (11 points, eight rebounds, four steals, two assists, and a block) provided steady support on both ends of the floor.
The Tigresses improved to 5-0 and are now one win away from completing a first-round sweep, with upcoming games against Adamson University and UP.
Meanwhile, FEU slipped to 2-3, tying Adamson University and UP for fourth place.
Amyah Español paced the Lady Tamaraws with 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while MJ Manguiat chipped in 11.
Top scorer Shemaiah Abatayo was limited to just seven points on 2-of-9 shooting, though she still dished out seven assists and grabbed four rebounds./ASC, WDJ