By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses have regained the UAAP women’s basketball crown after a 79-64 victory over the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in the do-or-die Game 3 of the Season 88 finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, December 14.

Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana spearheaded the offense with 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals in her final game with the Growling Tigresses, which wrapped up the best-of-three title series at 2-1.

“Sobrang happy lang kami kasi ‘yung sakripisyo namin, ilang years na magkakasama kami ng UST, ito na ‘yung bunga. Nao-overwhelm ako kasi wala naman sa goal ko na makuha ‘yung finals MVP. Goal ko lang makuha ang championship,” Pastrana said.

Isioma Onianwa added 15 markers and seven rebounds, while Eka Soriano, CJ Maglupay and Karylle Sierba contributed 10 markers apiece for the Growling Tigresses.

After a slow start in the opening quarter, where they went down at 15-23, the Growling Tigresses slowly carved their way back in the match behind Pastrana and Onianwa for a 37-30 halftime lead.

The Growling Tigresses outscored the Lady Bulldogs, 34-23, in the third quarter to build a 71-53 edge.

NU attempted to make their last push in the fourth but timely hits by Onianwa sealed the crown for UST.

“Syempre, sa dalawang nasa harapan ninyo, Kent and Eka are my cornerstones. Without them, siguro mahihirapan kami to get another championship,” Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong said.

“We played for each other, we played with heart and pride together. Down in the second quarter, hindi bumigay ang mga bata,” she added.

Kristine Cayabyab paced the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points, while Aloha Betanio and Marga Villanueva added 11 and 10 markers, respectively./ASC, WDJ