THE UST Tigresses opened their UAAP Season 76 campaign with a 67-45 demolition of the University of the East (UE) at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo de Manila University last July 4.
Co-captains Lore Rivera (21 points and 11 boards) and Maica Cortes (19 markers and 19 rebounds) both delivered double-double performances for the Tigresses, while team captain Marian Mejia contributed 13 points.
With less than five minutes left in the second quarter, Rivera drained a three-pointer to ignite an 11-2 UST run that pushed the lead to 17 to end the first half, 39-22.
The Lady Warriors managed to trim the deficit, 46-33, after the Tigresses committed several turnovers to open the third frame.
But Rivera and Mejia’s firepower shut the door on UE, sparking another 14-0 surge in the payoff period, 65-39.
Lady Warrior Dianne Ventura tried to rally through driving hard to the basket, but UST’s lead proved too big to overcome as time was not on UE’s side.
Ventura steered UE with 10 points.
Despite feeling a bit under the weather, Cortes recognized the need to step up.
“It wouldn’t look good if I let my ailment get in the way of my game, especially when they (teammates) look up to me,” she said. “So I pushed myself to deliver [since not all of us can be relied on every game].”
Tigresses coach Chris Cantonjos lauded his wards’ defense and attributed it to their training and preparation.
“I reminded them that this is our first game [this season] and it will be a test whether or not our game has improved since the offseason. We really worked on our defense, especially our presses,” he said of the Tigresses’ half-court press which limited UE to only a 30 percent shooting from the field.
BOX SCORES:
UST 67 – Rivera 21, Cortes 19, Mejia 13, Reyes 4, Ong 4, Angeles 3, Brillante 2, Andrade 1, Salvador 0, Peñaflor 0, Mandilag 0, Magdaluyo 0, Jerez 0, Isanan 0, Anies 0
UE 45 – Ventura 10, Ano-os 9, Doqueza 8, Sto. Domingo 8, Valdez 4, Tacula 5, Mendina 4, Ramos 0, Llosala 0, Domino 0, Adorador 0
QUARTER SCORES: 17-11, 39-22, 50-35, 67-45
