THE UST Tigresses remained undefeated in three games after surviving the Far Eastern University (FEU), 66-65, in their UAAP match-up at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City last July 24.
Mary Galicia won the game for UST after splitting her free throws on an unsportsmanlike foul, with a second left in the fourth quarter. The Tigresses earlier went ahead, 65-64, after Paula Bombeo scored on a drive with 2:35 minutes left in the game clock.
The Lady Tamaraws forced the fifth deadlock of the game via split charities by Marilourd Borja. They had a chance to take the lead following an offensive rebound, but UST stole the ball, forcing Borja to foul Galicia.
Juvelyn Andaya led UST with 18 points, six assists, and two steals. Marian Mejia and Rina Laud contributed with a combined 20 points to help put the Tigresses atop of the team standings with a 3-0 record.
The Lady Tamaraws dominated the boards with 29 offensive rebounds, scoring 16 off misses. UST was limited to only eight offensive rebounds and four second-chance points.
Down eight in the first half, the Tigresses used a 15-6 run in the first five minutes of the third period to take the lead, 46-45, mainly on Galicia’s post-ups and Mejia’s triple. The Morayta-based dribblers later responded with a 7-1 run, anchored on back-to-back hook shots from Allana Lim and Vangie Soriano. FEU was now ahead, 56-48.
“It is all about heart,” said coach Chris Cantonjos. “When we were down. I just said that we should think positive. I know that the team could deliver.”
The Tigresses earlier shamed Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, 64-51, last July 17.
Andaya scored a game-high 17 points on a scintillating 60-percent shooting beyond the arc, while Laud and Galicia had 14 and 11 points, respectively.
UST also survived the defending champions Adamson University Lady Falcons, 66-60, in overtime last July 13.
UST 66 – Andaya 18, Laud 10, Mejia 10, Bombeo 9, Galicia 8, Silva 5, Siapoc 4, Reyes 2, Salvador 0, Ong 0.
FEU 65 – Lim 28, Soriano 16, Columna 8, Rosaldo 6, Borja 3, Sambile 2, Yazon 1, Palmera 1, Valenzona 0, Tiu 0, Supnet 0, Regidor 0.
QUARTER SCORING: 20-15, 31-39, 51-56, 66-65.
