THE UST Growling Tigresses secured a narrow victory over the Adamson Lady Falcons, using a late surge to grab their third consecutive win, 58-55, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at the Adamson University Gymnasium on Sunday, Sept.15.
The Lady Falcons held a seven-point cushion late into the fourth quarter, 55-48, until the Tigresses mounted a 9-0 blast, powered by four points and clutch plays from Kent Pastrana who had struggled early. Pastrana tallied a steal and converted layup that gave UST the lead with 1:21 remaining, 57-55.
Brigette Santos split her charities to seal the Tigresses’ win and hand Adamson its first loss as the game clock expired.
UST remained undefeated with a 3-0 win-loss record, while Adamson slid down with a 2-1 slate.
Pastrana had a double-double performance of 15 points and 11 rebounds. She shot 6-for-20 from the field (30 percent), converting two of her five shot attempts in the fourth. Ambos chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.
Adamson overtook UST midway through the opening canto using a 7-1 spurt, punctuated by Crisnalyn Padilla’s triple, 17-13.
Although Tigress Tacky Tacatac trimmed the deficit to one with her triple, 16-17, the Lady Falcons used a 5-1 spurt to keep UST in tow heading into the second, 22-17.
With UST down by two points, Padilla scored five straight points for a 35-28 Adamson lead.
UST outscored Adamson 18-11 in the third frame to knot the game at 46-all bridging the payoff period.
Adamson was in control early into the final canto, holding a five-point edge with less than five minutes remaining, 53-48, until the Lady Falcons crumbled in the remaining minutes.
Adamson’s Padilla and Eliane Etang scored 19 and 11 points, respectively.
The Growling Tigresses will look for their fourth straight victory when they face the NU Lady Bulldogs, the only other undefeated team in UAAP, on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. V.P.Pagaduan VII
