UST Growling Tigresses’ Kent Pastrana during a stepladder semifinals game against Adamson Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — For the second straight year, University of Santo Tomas and National University will battle for women’s basketball supremacy in the best-of-three UAAP Season 87 championship series.
Defending champion UST was the last women’s team standing in the stepladder semifinals after staving off a gritty Adamson side, 71-59, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
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READ: UAAP: NU Lady Bulldogs beat UST anew, close in on elims sweep
The Growling Tigresses were pushed to their limits in a knockout game but displayed the heart of a champion to survive a tall hurdle in the Lady Falcons and prove to be a worthy finals rival against the National University Lady Bulldogs, who swept their way to the finals.
UST renews its rivalry against unbeaten NU in Game 1 on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum at 1 p.m.
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Kent Pastrana almost had a triple-double, unleashing 23 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists to lead UST to its second straight finals.
“Nagrelax kasi kami nung second quarter. Sinasabi namin na wag magbigay ng kumpiyansa sa kalaban kasi siyempre yung Adamson alam naman namin na lalaban din yan hanggang dulo and hindi din sila magpapatalo,” said Pastrana, who will be part of the mythical team for the third time. “Bumalik kami nung second half, nagregroup kami kung anong kailangan namin iadjust and yung mga mali namin. Nagsimula kami sa defense.”
UST Growling Tigresses’ Kent Pastrana during a stepladder semifinals game against Adamson Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Growling Tigresses lost steam after a sizzling 21-4 start, allowing the Lady Falcons to build a momentum before the end of first quarter that led to a 37-35 advantage at the half.
Trailing 39-43 midway through the third quarter, Pastrana lit the fire under UST, scoring six straight points to ignite a 17-3 run capped by CJ Maglupay’s short stab for a 56-46 lead in the final moments of the period.
READ: UAAP women’s basketball: Tigresses reach for same weapon that helped them score upset last season
Adamson cut it down to six after Kat Agojo’s basket underneath, 60-54, with six minutes left. But UST kept its rival at bay with Tacky Tacatac hitting a huge corner triple, 67-65, with 3:45 left.
Pastrana found Nicole Danganan open underneath in two consecutive possessions for a 71-57 spread to put the game away with 1:41 left.
CJ Maglupay was also instrumental with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds and had six steals for the Tigresses. Brigette Santos delivered 10 points and had a game-high seven steals as UST had 24 steals, forcing 34 turnovers from Adamson. Tacatac also scored 10 points.
“Credit also to Adamson, coach Ryan and the girls talagang they gave us a hard time. Salute to them. It’s all total team effort and at the end of the day yung defense namin dictated nung second half against Adamson,” said UST coach Haydee Ong.
“Double-double wala na akong masabi kay CJ and kay Kent at least nakita na niya kung paano maglaro pag nagddoble siya, sharing the ball ang dami niyang assists so hats off to the whole team.”
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Adamson’s Cinderella run ended with a bronze medal finish, falling a game short of a Finals appearance. Elaine Etang led the way with 12 points and five rebounds. Kemi Adeshina also scored 12 and grabbed eight rebounds.