THE UST Growling Tigresses have long been known for their fast-paced offense and sharpshooting, but in their dominant Round 2 opener on Sunday, they displayed a defensive masterclass against the UP Fighting Maroons.
Through their first seven games, the Growling Tigresses topped the league in three key offensive statistics: total points per game (75), 3-point percentage (27.94%), and perimeter points per game (35.25).
Perhaps their fiery offense has shrouded the Tigresses’ capabilities on the other end, but they fully displayed their stifling defense in their 27-point beatdown of UP for their fourth consecutive win.
UST head coach Haydee Ong sees defense as a vital factor in the Tigresses’ title retention bid this season. UST last won back-to-back championships in UAAP women’s basketball three decades ago in Seasons 57 and 58.
“[We] just [have] to concentrate first on our individual defense, and at the same time, our team defense because that would be our strongest point as a team talaga — our full court press. Sinabi ko na lang to concentrate on that,” Ong said postgame.
“Since the past season, ‘yon na ‘yong character ng UST Growling Tigresses talaga, which is to have good individual and team defense for the opponents to turn the ball over and get turnover points as easy as that,” she added. “‘Yon ‘yong bread and butter talaga namin going into the second round.”
UST recorded 20 steals in the win and forced UP to commit 32 turnovers.
After a tight 41-38 first half, UST managed to pull away by limiting the Fighting Maroons to 19 points and forcing them to commit 16 turnovers. They also managed to lock down a stacked UP roster, which includes Louna Ozar, Kye Pesquera, and Christie Bariquit.
Growling Tigress Tacky Tacatac, who dropped 23 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the distance, said Ong gave them a talking-to about their defense at halftime.
“Kinausap kami kanina ni coach after ng first half na kailangan namin mag-focus muna sa defense kasi ‘yong score nandiyan naman na ‘yan e, lahat nakaka-score,” Tacatac said.
“No’ng second half, nag-start kaming mag-defense then luckily, everytime na nag-turnover ‘yong UP, doon kami nakaka-score kaya doon kami nakalayo,” she added.
UST rookie Karylle Sierba said the Tigresses’ defensive masterclass against UP was a fruit of their labor over the break, where the team relearned and adjusted their defensive strategies.
“Ngayong second round, marami kaming inaral na mga mali namin noong first round,” Sierba said.
“‘Yong defense namin talaga, pinag-aralan talaga namin kung paano kami makaka-adjust ngayong second round para mapakita namin ‘yong magandang performance namin.”
The Growling Tigresses next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.