UAAP Finals: UST reclaims women’s basketball crown, dethrones NU

University of Santo Tomas unloaded a stellar second half to zoom past National University, 79-64, in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball Finals at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday. The Golden Tigresses reclaimed the crown they lost last season, powered by a decisive run in the latter stages of the game. “I just kept telling them in the dugout that we need to start playing our individual and team defense to clamp down NU’s shooters,” coach Haydee Ong said. “I also told them to show our identity by playing our run and gun game to build that kind of margin.” UST led by just seven at halftime, 37-30, before opening a pivotal third-quarter blitz that extended the gap to 18 points, 71-53, by the end of the period. But the Lady Bulldogs didn’t go down without a fight, slashing the deficit to 10, 74-64, courtesy of a Kristine Cayabyab (177-F/G-2002) bucket with 4:41 to play. But the Lady Bulldogs’ rally fell short as UST closed out the game on a 5-0 run, capped by an Oma Onianwa basket with less than 2:07 remaining. Kent Pastrana (2000) led UST with an all-around performance of 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists, five steals and a block, earning her Finals MVP honors. “I wouldn’t have gotten this award if it wasn’t for the Lord, my teammates, coaches and the people who believed in me,” an emotional Pastrana said. Helping the graduating Tigress on the UST front was Onianwa, who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. The troika of Eka Soriano, Karylle Sierba and CJ Maglupay all scored 10 points each in the victory. Cayabyab saved her best for last with 21 points, but NU wasn’t able to hang on to its crowd. Aloha Betanio and Marga Villanueva also finished with 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Lady Bulldogs.
Courtesy of: sports.inquirer.net