By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses remained unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball with a commanding 104-54 victory over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, November 5.

Kent Jane Pastrana led UST’s rout with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block, finishing with a game-high plus-48 in just 20 minutes and 19 seconds on the floor.

“I think this is the best game for Kent — 48 efficiency on 20 minutes and 25 points. So I hope she can keep it up those magical numbers,” Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong said.

Rachelle Ambos added 19 points and nine rebounds.

Oma Onianwa contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Growling Tigresses improved to 10-0, maintaining their hold atop the eight-team standings with a 32.8-point winning margin.

The Growling Tigresses dominated from the start, opening with a 31-9 first quarter and extending their lead to 28 points by halftime, 55-27.

UST’s advantage peaked midway through the fourth quarter on a Breanna Pineda deuce, building a 53-point margin, 98-45.

“Same pa rin ang mentality namin ng mga girls. Take it one game at a time pa rin at to be consistent and to improve each and every game,” Ong said.

“Of course, mabigat ‘yung last two games namin [with] Ateneo and [National University] pero Sunday against [Far Eastern University], so we’ll prepare against them,” she added.

The defeat marked UP’s eighth consecutive loss after opening the season with back-to-back wins, dropping them to 2-8.

Camille Nolasco led UP with 17 points and four rebounds.

Achrissa Maw contributed 10 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two blocks./ASC, WDJ