THE UST Growling Tigresses failed to advance to the finals anew after surrendering to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 66-68, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s basketball tournament stepladder semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Nov. 28.
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 team 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 Most Valuable Player (MVP) 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 the Lady Tamaraws 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.
UST will miss the services of Capilit, Sai Larosa and Cla Aujero next season after exhausting their playing years.
Bright future
While she was disappointed with the team’s early exit, Ong said rookie MVP Irebu made a big difference in the Tigresses’ Season 81 campaign.
“Grace brought us here in the podium, it is because of her kung bakit kami umabot sa Final Four. Hopefully, for the years to come, she would help us get to the finals kasi ‘yon naman ang target namin,” she said.
The 6’3” rookie tallied 18.5 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, enough for her to earn the UAAP top individual award.
Irebu primarily helped UST in anchoring the paint en route to a league-leading 57.7 rebounds per game, a big improvement from last season’s 45.1 boards for fourth place.
The Tigresses also placed second in paint points, averaging 44.4 markers, compared to last year’s 32.4 points.
But aside from Irebu, UST forward Tantoy Ferrer also had a stellar debut after averaging 7.2 points, 10 rebounds and two steals per game. She was hailed as this season’s Rookie of the Year.
“Next year, they (Grace and Tantoy) will not be rookies anymore kaya I expect more from them. This is a continuous rebuilding process, there is a brighter future for UST next season,” Ong told.
As their season drew to a close, the tactician said the Tigresses will continue training to keep their bodies in tiptop shape.
She added that spitfire guards Steph Villapando, Eka Soriano and Hazel Panti are expected to suit up for UST next year to stabilize the team’s offense and backcourt rotation.
The Tigresses will see action again in the La Liga Filipina tournament in January next year.
