THE UST Growling Tigresses failed to advance to the finals anew after surrendering to the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 66-68, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s basketball tournament stepladder semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
The Tigresses ended the tournament at third place for the second-straight year.
UST had a chance to force overtime but team captain Tin Capilit’s off-balanced shot fell short as FEU’s Clare Castro secured the rebound to seal the win.
“Despite the result, we overachieved this season because we are a rebuilding tean and we still made it to third place,” Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong said.
Trailing 45-58 in the payoff period, UST detonated a 12-1 run, highlighted by Grace Irebu’s triple, to cut the deficit to a point with 4:02 left.
Up by just a point, 31-30, the Lady Tamaraws used a 22-13 third quarter, with 18 points coming from Castro, to create separation heading into the final frame, 53-43.
FEU outrebounded UST, 54-37.
Castro led FEU with 32 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks while Fatima Quiapo chalked up 12 markers.
Irebu had 28 points, 13 boards, four steals and three blocks for the Tigresses.
The Tigresses will be without Sai Larosa, Cla Aujero and Capilit next season after exhausting their playing years.
