THE UST Tigresses placed third in the Filipino-Chinese Basketball League (FCBL) after blasting UAAP frontrunner Adamson University, 72-66, in their match at the Philippine Buddhacare Gym last Feb. 11.
The Tigresses leaned on unexpected hero in fourth-year guard Kristine Siapoc, who chalked up 18 points and seven rebounds, while Maica Cortes and Lore Rivera contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
With the game tied at 55-apiece late in the fourth quarter, the Tigresses tightened their defense with Siapoc, Rivera, and Juvy Andaya clogging Adamson’s passing lanes. The strategy translated to a 7-0 blitz for UST.
The Lady Falcons retaliated with an 8-0 run punctuated by Angelica Ortega’s layup to go ahead, 64-62, with 2:38 minutes remaining in the game.
The Tigresses outscored Adamson 11-2 in the final stretch to secure the victory.
UST finished the elimination round at seventh spot with a dismal 1-6 win-loss card, while top-seeded Adamson had an immaculate record of 7-0. The Tigresses snapped their losing skid against Ateneo de Manila University. But the unlikely semi-finalists proved their worth after knocking off the UAAP defending champion Far Eastern University twice to secure the last semifinals berth last Jan. 31.
Galicia’s eight-point explosion late in the last frame helped the Tigresses to oust the Lady Tamarraws, 48-46.
