17 May 2014, 3:54 p.m. – THE UST Tigresses climbed back from an 18-point deficit in the first half to upset UAAP defending champion De La Salle University, 75-72, in theFiloil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan Saturday.
Forward Lore Rivera registered a game-high 24 points and 16 boards to steer the Tigresses to a 3-0 win-loss record in the preseason tournament.
Down by six, UST’s Sonia Felisarta tied the ball game at 71-all with only 80 seconds left in regulation.
Rivera later scored a clutch basket off Kristine Siapoc’s assist to put her team on top, 73-72.
Kim Reyes, who tallied 18 markers, wrapped up the game for the Tigresses with two free throws, 75-72.
Early in the third frame, the Tigresses unleashed an enormous 14-0 run, seven came from Rivera’s bonus shots, to slash La Salle’s lead tofour, 37-41.
With the momentum still on UST’s side, bigman Maica Cortes bucketed an equalizer in the 1:24 mark, 46-apiece.
Rivera started the final period with a 6-0 run highlighted by a
three-pointer to give UST its first lead of the game, 54-51.
The Lady Archers answered back with an 8-1 rally capped by Miller
Ong’s basket en route to a 59-55 advantage.
“Nung halftime sabi ko hindi ‘yan ang game natin kaya nag-sipag sila nung third quarter sa defense. Nakakuha tayo ng bola at bumalik yung offense,” coach Chris Cantonjos said.
Camille Claro paced La Salle with 19 markers.
UST will next face Rizal Technological University on May 28, 12:30 pm
at the same venue. Karl Cedrick G. Basco
