By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses moved closer to an outright finals seat in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball after a 105-85 rout over the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, November 23.
Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana spearheaded the attack with 26 points, including six three-pointers, to go with seven rebounds, two assists and a block as the Growling Tigresses improved to a 13-0 win-loss slate.
Bridgette Santos added 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Eka Soriano and Coi Danganan had 14 and 12 points, respectively, while Isioma Onianwa contributed a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds for UST.
The Growling Tigresses, which finished runner-up to the Lady Bulldogs last year, can clinch an outright finals seat if it wins over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws at the close of eliminations on Wednesday, November 26.
Aloha Betanio and Karl Ann Pingol finished with 19 markers apiece, while Kristine Cayabyab and Marga Villanueva added 16 and 10 points, respectively, as the Lady Bulldogs fell to a 12-2 record.
Meanwhile, the Adamson University Lady Falcons pulled out all the stops in the final minutes to stifle the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 77-71, and secure at least a playoff spot for the last Final 4.
Led by the trio of Nigerian center Kemi Adeshina, Elaine Etang and Cheska Apag, the Lady Falcons positioned themselves strongly for the final postseason ticket, claiming solo fourth place with an even 7-7 record.
The victory also eliminated sixth-placed De La Salle University (5-8) from Final 4 contention for the third consecutive year, leaving only Far Eastern University and Adamson to battle for the last postseason slot.
A loss by the Lady Tamaraws — currently fourth with a 6-7 record — against the still-unbeaten Growling Tigresses on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum will secure Adamson’s return to the Final 4 for the second straight year.
Etang led the Lady Falcons with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, five assists, two rebounds, and one steal, while Apag contributed 18 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists./ASC, WDJ