By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Kent Pastrana erupted for a career-best 35 points as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses sealed a playoff for the twice-to-beat advantage with a dominant 125-50 victory over the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, November 12.
The Negrense star took her performance to another level, shooting 13-of-21 from the field while collecting 12 rebounds, five steals, two assists, and one block in less than 19 minutes of play as the Growling Tigresses cruised to an 11-0 mark.
“I am so happy sa performance ko today. ‘Yun lang din sinasabi ko palagi sa sarili ko na ibibigay ko lahat ng makakaya ko sa team para manalo every game,” Pastrana said.
“And, of course, as a leader, I’ll do my best palagi para makatulong sa teammates and coaches ko,” she added.
UST assistant coach Ged Austria lauded the team’s relentless effort, especially as they gear up for a tough stretch to close the elimination round against Ateneo de Manila University, defending champion National University (NU) and Far Eastern University.
“Of course, very proud sa ginawa ng players namin. Like as you said, we just want to carry on our momentum going into the playoffs. As we all know, ‘yung isang game last weekend, na-cancel. We just want to continue and carry on our momentum lalo ‘yung next two opponents [are] Ateneo and NU,” Austria said.
UST’s 125-point explosion marked the highest scoring output in the UAAP women’s basketball since NU’s 131-47 rout of UE in 2022.
The Tigresses asserted control early, unloading 33 points in the opening quarter and burying the Lady Warriors under a 70-29 halftime deficit.
Pastrana then poured in 17 of her 35 points in the third frame as UST extended the gap to 97-38 entering the final quarter.
Import Oma Onianwa added 12 points, five boards, two assists, two steals, and a block, while Rachelle Ambos chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds.
Coi Danganan and Karylle Sierba also tallied 11 points apiece.
Meanwhile, UE absorbed its 22nd consecutive defeat dating back to Season 87.
Syril Oñate led the Lady Warriors with 20 points and five rebounds, while Rachel Lacayanga contributed 18 points, five steals and four rebounds./ASC, WDJ