The UST Junior Growling Tigresses suffered their first defeat since 2020, falling to the NU Lady Bullpups, 74-62, in the UAAP Season 88 girls’ basketball tournament at the Adamson Gym on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Their previous loss came in Game 2 of the Season 82 finals against the Adamson Baby Falcons on March 9, 2020, with their last elimination-round setback occurring earlier that year on Feb. 8, also against Adamson.
“Marami kaming bagong players ngayon, and I felt we needed that game, ‘yong dikit, and they were forced to be a better version of themselves, that’s where you become tough,” UST head coach Arsenio Dysangco told the Varsitarian.
“We’re going to build their character. So gusto ko na talaga maranasan na nila ‘itong eye-opening games ngayon pa lang,” he added.
NU opened the game with 16 unanswered points, ending the first quarter up, 24-9.
UST went on a 12-6 run in the second quarter to trim the lead to nine, 30-21, but NU kept the Tigresses at bay to take a 47-40 advantage at halftime.
Riri Perez, Lea Pinuela, and Sandra Abarantes then sparked a 16-8 rally in the third frame to seize their first lead, 56-55, before a fourth-quarter collapse proved costly.
NU went on a 19-6 run in the final period to cruise to the win.
The loss dropped UST to 2-1 after the first round, while NU stayed atop the standings with a 3-0 slate.
Pia Petalcorin led the Junior Tigresses with 15 points, while Pinuela, Perez and Koukou Talla chipped in eight markers apiece.
Aubrey Lapasaran paced NU with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Zaydhen Rosano added 14 markers.
The UAAP has yet to announce the second round schedule. Venerando Pagaduan VII
