28 May 2014, 6:47 p.m. – THE UST Tigresses survived a highly physical matchup and edged the Rizal Technological University (RTU), 66-60, en route to a semifinals berth in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan Wednesday.
UST swept the elimination round with a 4-0 win-loss record, despite playing with only eight players against the winless Lady Thunder.
Tigresses Maica Cortes, Lore Rivera, Bettina Peñaflor, Tin Capilit and Angel Anieso were thrown out of the game after engaging in a brawl against RTU’s Rica Francisco in the 6:38 mark of the third canto.
“Natamaan yung panga ni Rivera (Lore) sabay dinaganan pa. Kaya ang nangyari na-thrown out syempre ipo-protect nung teammates yung mga kasama nila. Buti na lang maganda yung nilaro nung bench natin,” said coach Chris Cantonjos.
RTU threatened a comeback in the payoff period after unleashing a 16-5 blitz, highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers from Aileen Balmatero and Angel Rodriguez, to slash UST’s lead to four, 55-59.
With 1:47 left in regulation, Tigress Hershey Pernia drain in a lay-up followed by Sonia Felisarta’s free throws to give them a 63-57 advantage.
Rodriguez scored another trey for RTU, 60-63, before Pernia completed a fast break play to secure their fourth straight victory, 65-60.
Rivera, who was slapped with a one-game suspension along with Cortes, led the España cagers anew with 18 points and 13 boards while Felisarta added 12.
“Sabi ko nga it’s about time na ipakita nila yung game nila, hindi yung pang palit lang. With or without nung starting five natin kaya nila maglaro,” Cantonjos said.
The Tigresses stretched their lead to 16 after 15-footer jumper from Cortez, 43-27.
Balmatero starred for the Lady Thunder with a game-high 25 markers.
The Tigresses will face the University of the Philippines in the semifinals on June 4 at the same venue. Karl Cedrick G. Basco
