THE UST Tigresses failed to notch a semifinals spot for the first time in three years following a 53-64 overtime loss in their do-or-die game against the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the UAAP Season 78 women’s basketball tournament held at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym last Nov. 18.
The Tigresses finished fifth place with a 6-9 record.
After forcing overtime, the Tigresses ran out of steam and blew their chance to take the lead after missing all of their four fastbreak layup attempts.
The Tigresses trimmed Ateneo’s 16-point lead to six at the start of the fourth quarter, 34-40, after a furious 17-7 run led by Misaela Larosa and team captain Maica Cortes.
The momentum continued to shift toward the Tigresses who tied the game at 44 with 5:08 remaining in the fourth quarter courtesy of Bettina Peñaflor’s putback.
Hazelle Yam gave the Lady Eagles a 50-48 lead after a fastbreak layup with 1:21 left in the game. Peñaflor banked a game-tying shot with 4.7 ticks remaining in regulation to force an extra period.
Yam took charge for Ateneo, scoring 10 straight points in overtime, including two consecutive three-pointers, to give the Lady Eagles a 60-51 lead with under a minute remaining in the game.
“‘Yung momentum, nasa atin na. Kung naka-abantetayo kahit isa lang sa apat na layup, atin ang laro. Exhausted na rin sila noong overtime,” Tigresses head coach Chris Cantonjos told the Varsitarian.
Peñaflor paced the Tigresses with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Graduating players Cortes, Candice Magdaluyo, and Sofia Felisarta scored 10, 4, and 3 markers, respectively.
Yam led Ateneo with 26 points, while Danica Jose had 15 points and 19 rebounds.
The Tigresses missed the services of sharpshooters Shanda Anies, who was out with a head injury, and Jhenn Angeles, who is still hampered by knee and foot problems.
Team captain Cortes, who had a prolific season as a double-double machine, said their missed chances that may have changed the outcome of the season.
“Para sa akin, masakit, sobrang sakit (ang pagtatapos ng season). Kasi siguro naman, nasa amin (graduating players) ang pagkakamali, dahil buong season, hindi namin naibigay ang buong kakayahan namin o nagkamali. Dahil kami ang veterans, dapat kami ang aasahan ng team,” Cortes said.
