THE UST Growling Tigresses crumbled late and lost to the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 62-66, in the UAAP Season 79 women’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday.
UST led for most of the game until Adamson went on an 8-0 spurt in the last two minutes to snatch the lead, 64-62.
The Tigresses had chances to even the game but veteran Sophie Felisarta bricked both free throws and a floater with 20 seconds remaining.
Team captain Jhenn Angeles missed two freebies with under six seconds to go.
“Free throws and errors cost us the game. We should have won, but unfortunately the team collapses when the game is on the line,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said.
Leading 23-18 in the second quarter, the Tigresses led by as much as 14 points following a 9-0 rally capped by a Shanda Anies three.
Anies went down in the dying moments of the game after a collision with a Lady Falcon. She led the Tigresses with 13 points.
Misaela Larosa and Bettina Peñaflor had 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Kaye Pingol paced Adamson with 18 points.
UST, which fell to a 2-4 card, shot a measly 46.6 percent from the foul line and 31 percent from the field.
The Tigresses will close the first round against defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m., at the same venue.
