The relentless UST Growling Tigresses made it three wins in a row to start UAAP Season 88 women's basketball, taking down UE by 57 points.
University of Santo Tomas secured its third straight win in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament with a 99-42 dismantling of the University of the East on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Growling Tigresses set the tone early, pouring in 25 points in the first quarter while holding the Lady Warriors to just five, paving the way for a 57-point rout.
UST now sits alone atop the eight-team standings with a perfect 3-0 record.
Coach Haydee Ong was pleased with her team’s response, especially after UE’s valiant effort in its 75-84 overtime loss to the University of the Philippines last Sunday.
“We’re happy na ‘yung game plan namin nasunod naman… At the start of the season, I told my team na kailangan we focus on our individual and team defense and I think we want na lahat ng opponents namin ay below their average every time we go against them,” Ong said.
The Growling Tigresses dominated in all facets of the game, recording 28 steals and forcing 32 turnovers from the Lady Warriors, which they converted into 30 easy points.
Nigerian center Oma Onianwa continued her stellar run, posting 17 points and six rebounds in just 19 minutes.
Kent Pastrana contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Breana Pineda had a breakout game with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field.
Karylle Sierba added 11 points as coach Ong fielded all 15 healthy players, with the exception of Eka Soriano, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
The Lady Warriors dropped to 0-3, extending their losing streak to 13 games dating back to the first round of Season 87.
Ivy Yañez led UE with 12 points, while Rachel Lacayanga, a UST High School alumna, added 10 points. Despite playing all 16 players, only six combined for UE’s 42 points.
Both teams will return to action next Saturday at the newly-renovated Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym — the first women’s division game there since Season 82. UE will face Adamson University at 12 p.m., while UST takes on host Ateneo at 7 p.m.
The Scores:
UST (99) – Onianwa 17, Pastrana 13, Pineda 13, Sierba 11, Ambos 8, Maglupay 7, E. Danganan 6, Santos 6, Pascador 4, N. Danganan 4, Relliquette 4, McAlary 2, Bron 2, Serrano 2, Dajao 0.
UE (42) – Yañez 12, Lacayanga 10, Vacalares 8, Buscar 6, Ronquillo 3, Lumibao 3, Dalguntas 0, Onate 0, Lituania 0, Delig 0, Ramos 0, Trinidad 0, Solomon 0, Guillim 0, Gomez 0, Salise 0.
Quarterscores: 25-5, 52-20, 77-31, 99-42