By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses gained an outright finals seat in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball following a 101-84 rout of the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, November 26.

Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana had an all-around performance of 13 points, eight rebounds, seven steals, and five assists to help the Growling Tigresses achieve a 14-0 double-round elimination sweep.

Karylle Sierba spearheaded the attack with 17 points.

Coi Dagangan added 15 markers, while Isioma Onianwa, Eka Soriano and Bridgette Santos had 14, 13 and 10 points, respectively.

For finishing the preliminaries undefeated, the Growling Tigresses have earned an outright seat to the best-of-three title series while turning the semifinals round into a step-ladder format.

The Growling Tigresses set the tone early by establishing a quick double-digit lead before the Lady Tamaraws threatened to within eight markers at 67-75 with seven minutes left.

However, UST went on a finishing run behind Pastrana, Onianwa, Sierba, and CJ Maglupay as they surged to a 101-82 advantage on a basket by Pastrana with less than a minute left.

Amyah Espanol finished with 25 points.

Shemaiah Abatayo and MJ Manguiat added 21 and 12 markers, respectively, as the Lady Tamaraws fell short of a Final 4 slot with their record./ASC, WDJ