The UST Growling Tigresses grab their first win in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League after prevailing over the Discovery Perlas, 82-67, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, Jan. 19. (Photo by James Michael M. Magboo/ The Varsitarian)

THE UST Growling Tigresses buried the Discovery Perlas, 82-67, in the first game of the inaugural season of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) held at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, Jan. 19. 

Bolstered by new foreign student-athlete Isioma Onianwa, the Tigresses dominated the paint, outrebounding Discovery 68-42, including 29 offensive rebounds. They also scored 27 second-chance points compared to Perlas’ eight.

Onianwa finished her debut game with UST with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Karylle Sierba added 14 markers.

“Okay naman ‘yong performance namin, although I expect a lot more. Siyempre, considered na rin na first game ever, may first game jitters siguro sa players ko, pati sa akin,” Tigresses head coach Ged Austria said.

“Pero always mo titignan, babalikan mo, una ‘yong habits at preparation mo. So ‘pag naisip mo naman na alam mo prepared ka, at saka nag-stick sa values mo, sa habits mo, mas gagaan ‘yong pakiramdam mo, mas kaya.”

Perlas managed to stay within reach after the first quarter, which ended with UST assistant coach Allana Lim sinking a freebie to pull to within four, 21-17. 

The Tigresses kept Perlas at bay during the second quarter before mounting a 15-0 run to end the half with a comfortable 42-27 lead.

Tacky Tacatac drained a corner triple to extend UST’s lead by 17 at the end of the third frame, 50-33. 

Onianwa sank a layup with 4:40 remaining to give the Tigresses their biggest lead of the game at 27, 80-53, virtually sealing the victory.

“I expected it na babagalan nila ‘yong laro. Kasi kami, sanay sa fast pace, so, ‘yong adjustment na lang siguro na as a younger team, hindi dapat kami magpapa-dictate sa pace ng veterans,” Austria said.

Lim led Perlas in the loss with 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Camille Sambille contributed 14 markers. 

The UST Growling Tigresses will look to maintain their momentum against the CEU Lady Scorpions on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m., with the venue yet to be announced. with reports from Sydney Venice V. Berba

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