THE UST Growling Tigresses disposed of the UP Lady Fighting Maroons, doubling their output with an 84-42 victory to secure back-to-back wins in the PinoyLiga Global Invitationals Cup at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday, March 26.
The win propelled UST to a 2-0 record following its opening-day victory against Nagoya Gakuin University.
“We played better today than yesterday,” UST head coach Haydee Ong told the Varsitarian. “Malaking tulong ngayon na all around ‘yong players and nagkaroon ng connection among all of them kaya talagang na-control namin ‘yong game.”
UP kept it close in the opening quarter behind Louna Ozar’s early five-point burst, holding a slim 15-12 edge.
In the second quarter, the Tigresses held the Lady Maroons to just five points, mounting a 22-5 run to build a 37-17 lead at halftime.
The lead ballooned to as much as 30 points in the third quarter, as the Tigresses converted four 3s in the period to seize control, 68-38.
UST did not let up in the final period, pouncing on the Fighting Maroons’ reserves to double their score by the end of the game, 84-42.
The Tigresses outrebounded the Lady Maroons 40-22 and recorded more assists, 18-8, en route to the dominant win.
Karylle Sierba topped all scorers with 14 points, while Kent Pastrana delivered an all-around performance with 13 markers, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
No player scored in double digits for UP, with Marielle Vingco leading the Fighting Maroons with eight points., followed by Ozar with seven.
The Growling Tigresses will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Thursday, March 27, at the same venue.
