THE UST Growling Tigresses clinched the third UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament Final Four ticket after drubbing the winless UE Lady Warriors, 103-54, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Leading by 29 points early in the third frame, 60-31, the Tigresses dropped a 12-6 bomb capped by a Chille Serrano layup to build a 35-point cushion late into the third frame, 72-37.
The Tigresses then used a 28-12 fourth quarter to seal the lopsided victory.
“I think ito ‘yung parang statement nila dun sa tough loss nila against NU,” head coach Haydee Ong said after the game. “Hindi naman namin tinitingnan ‘yung score, we just wanted to execute ano ‘yung mga tinuro sa mga bata during practice and I’m happy na nagawa ng mga bata ‘yon.”
With the win, the Tigresses rose to an 8-3 win-loss slate, tightening their hold of the third seed. They have three games left and are still in the running for the twice-to-beat advantage.
The NU Lady Bulldogs are leading with a 10-1 record, while the UP Fighting Maroons hold the second position with a 9-2 record.
“‘Yung last three games namin, kailangan naming ipanalo so we have a better chance of making it to No. 2 or No. 3. But most importantly, kami muna, ‘yung laro namin ang iintindihin namin.”
A Kent Pastrana triple gave the Tigresses a 22-point halftime lead, 50-28.
The Tigresses used a 17-9 run midway through the opening canto to create a 14-point gap heading into the second frame, 26-12.
UST banked on the 22 Lady Warrior turnovers to score 31 points. The Tigresses bench scored 67 points.
Pastrana paced UST with 17 points and six rebounds, while Brigette Santos contributed 16 points, four steals and three assists.
UE’s Kat Ruiz and Minslie Paule scored 16 and 10 points, respectively.
The Growling Tigresses will next face the Adamson University Lady Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
