THE UST Growling Tigresses squandered a 14-point lead and faltered in the second half, dropping Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball finals to the NU Lady Bulldogs, 72-71, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 8.
The Lady Bulldogs remained undefeated this season with the win, and moved one win away from reclaiming the championship, which the Growling Tigresses are fighting to defend.
Despite forcing 31 NU turnovers, the Growling Tigresses also struggled with ball security, committing 23 turnovers, including 10 in the pivotal third quarter when NU began mounting its comeback.
“When it comes to those small mistakes sa championship, you will pay for that,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said postgame. “‘Yong mga miscommunication namin sa defense, ta-targetin namin for two more days.”
“We’ll be back stronger in Game 2.”
Trailing 70-69 after Gypsey Canuto’s free throw, the Growling Tigresses reclaimed the lead with a minute left as Brigette Santos converted a tough layup over two NU defenders, 71-70.
However, with both teams missing critical shots down the stretch, NU rookie Cielo Pagdulagan managed to sink a layup off an inbounds play, putting the Lady Bulldogs ahead, 72-71.
With 11 seconds remaining, Kent Pastrana drove into the lane and found Tacky Tacatac open in the corner for a potential game-winning 3-pointer, but Tacatac’s shot narrowly missed.
“Nothing to be ashamed of at breaks of the game,” Ong said. “‘Yong last play namin was really made for Tacky. It was a good shot. Unfortunately, nag-miss kami. It’s a good miss; nothing to be ashamed of.”
UST set the tone early, building a commanding 26-16 advantage after the first quarter.
NU responded by tying the game at 34-all to open the second period, but a pair of layups from Pastrana ignited a 12-3 UST run that gave the Tigresses a 46-37 advantage at halftime.
Both teams traded baskets in the third quarter, with UST holding a slim 57-49 edge until Ann Pingol spearheaded a 9-0 NU run to tie the game entering the final frame, 57-all.
Pastrana led UST with 22 points and six rebounds on 38.1% shooting, while Santos followed with 12 points, three boards, and two assists.
Tacatac and former MVP Eka Soriano struggled from the field, producing only eight and seven markers, respectively.
Pingol paced the Lady Bulldogs with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Camille Clarin added 12 points on 57.1% shooting.
The UST Growling Tigresses will look to keep their title defense hopes alive in Game 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 11. with reports from Rob Andrew L. Dongiapon and Venerando P. Pagaduan VII
