THE UST Tigresses lost steam in the second half and settled for a runner-up finish against National University, 75-67, in the Finals of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan last June 8.
Tigress Trixie Antiguera cut NU’s lead to three, 63-66, with a layup before Tin Abriam’s jumper stretched the Lady Bulldogs’ lead to seven, 70-63, with 1:44 remaining.
The Tigresses inched closer once more, 67-70, with four freethrows from Lore Rivera, who returned from a one-game suspension, and Sonia Felisarta.
The Lady Bulldogs answered back with Cams Escoto’s undergoal stab for the final score.
Rivera paced the Tigresses with 14 points and 20 boards while Jhenn Angeles and Maica Cortes added 13 and 11 markers, respectively.
“Ang ganda ng run natin from the start, biglang nag-collapse. Pero gusto ng players natin manalo. Ginawa nila yung best nila kaso breaks na rin ng game, kinapos tayo sa time,” coach Chris Cantonjos said.
Angeles drained five free throws to grab a 44-41 advantage midway the third canto, but Miranda and Bernardino teamed up for an 11-0 NU run and an eight-point lead, 52-44, with 55 seconds left in the period.
UST had a good start as Cortes buried six of her 11 points, including back-to-back baskets, for an 18-12 spread.
Lady Bulldog Andrea Tongco fired a trey with 32 seconds left for a 29-30 tally at the half.
Despite losing the title in the off-season tourney, Cantonjos remains optimistic for the España-based cagers’ campaign in the upcoming UAAP season.
“Maganda na rin ‘yung nangyari, ibig sabihin marami pa tayong dapat i-improve at i-adjust. Kumbaga, magiging maganda ‘to sa pagpunta natin sa UAAP. Mas gutom tayo,” he said.
In the semifinals last June 4, the short-handed Tigresses made quick work of the University of the Philippines, 62-51, to book their first Filoil Finals appearance.
UST played without Rivera and Cortes, who were both slapped with a one-game suspension after being involved in an altercation in their last preliminary game against Rizal Technological University.
