By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses clinched the first Final 4 berth in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament after a dominant 95-66 victory over the Adamson University Lady Falcons at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, October 29.
Behind the combined brilliance of Negrense Kent Pastrana, Karylle Sierba and Coi Danganan, UST secured their seventh straight Final 4 appearance — a streak that began in Season 80 (2017) during the second year of head coach Haydee Ong’s tenure.
The win also kept UST unbeaten through nine games, tightening its grip on solo first place in the eight-team field ahead of defending champion National University (8-1) and third-seeded Ateneo de Manila University (6-3).
“I think ‘yung final score does not say that it’s going to be easy this season — it’s all hard work pa rin. After Season 87, talagang we prepared for this season na ma-reclaim namin ‘yung crown,” Ong said.
“Slowly but surely, we’re on track to our target now [dahil] nasa Final 4 kami ngayon. Hopefully, mag-tuluy-tuloy ‘yung wins namin this second round,” she added.
Just like in their first-round encounter — where the Tigresses had to mount a second-half rally to claim a 79-55 win last October 18 — UST once again started flat, allowing a triple and a layup from Cheska Apag in back-to-back possessions that gave Adamson a 31-26 lead midway through the second quarter.
This time, however, it didn’t take long for UST to find its rhythm. The unit of Danganan, Breana Pineda, Agatha Bron, Sierba, and Pastrana orchestrated a blistering 25-9 run to seize a 51-40 halftime lead.
That explosive second quarter proved to be the game’s turning point as the Tigresses continued their onslaught, extending the margin to as wide as 22 points in the third period. Brigette Santos and Barby Dajao then delivered back-to-back baskets to close the quarter with a commanding 73-53 cushion heading into the final frame.
Pastrana led UST with a double-double performance of 19 points and 12 rebounds, alongside three steals and a block.
Sierba had a flawless outing, finishing with 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting clip, adding four assists, four steals and three rebounds.
Danganan chipped in 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting with six rebounds and a block, while Negrense Rachelle Ambos also scored 11 points and grabbed six boards to highlight UST’s balanced offense.
Elaine Etang led the Lady Falcons with 23 points, five steals and three assists, while Apag contributed 16 points, four rebounds, and four steals.
They dropped to 3-6 in the standings./ASC, WDJ