The UST Growling Tigresses clobbered the UP Lady Maroons by 21 points, 82-61, on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo to tighten their hold on the second spot through Round 1 of the UAAP women’s basketball tournament.
Tacky Tacatac led the Tigresses with 19 markers, nine rebounds and five assists, while one-and-done Tigress Nikki Villasin impressed with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
In the post-game interview, UST coach Haydee Ong credited the Tigresses’ hard work as they ended the first round in solo second.
“It’s all because of the hard work of the ladies of course. Working together, relentless defense all throughout the first round, I think that brought us to where we are now in the standings,” she said.
The Growling Tigresses blasted off early with a 21-6 start in the first quarter and never looked back as they sustained the lead the entire match.
UST pulled away further and built a 21-point lead with 2:16 remaining in the game after an Eka Soriano basket.
Soriano finished with 15 points, five steals, four assists and three rebounds. Brigette Santos scored 10 points and grabbed eight boards off the UST bench.
Despite the Tigresses’ 6-1 start, Ong said her team would not be complacent as they aim for the Final Four.
“I think we are in a better position now to enter the Final Four, but of course, we need to work hard again in the second round because teams are scouting everybody else. Sila Tacatac and Villasin, [our opponents] know they’re the shooters of the team so hopefully, in the second round, we’ll perform better,” she said.
Kaye Pesquera led UP in scoring with 18 points off the bench.
The UAAP has yet to release the second-round schedules of its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
