The UST Growling Tigresses extend their perfect run to 9-0, becoming the first team to advance to the Final Four of UAAP Season 88.
University of Santo Tomas clinched the first Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament after a dominant 95-66 victory over Adamson University on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Behind the combined brilliance of Season 87 Mythical Five member Kent Pastrana, Karylle Sierba, and Coi Danganan, the Growling Tigresses secured their seventh straight Final Four appearance—a streak that began in Season 80 (2017) during the second year of head coach Haydee Ong’s tenure.
The win also kept UST unbeaten through nine games, tightening its grip on solo first place in the eight-team field ahead of defending champion National University (8-1) and third-seeded Ateneo de Manila University (6-3).
“I think yung final score does not say that it’s going to be easy for this season — it’s all hard work pa rin,” Ong said. "After Season 87, talagang we prepared for this season na ma-reclaim namin yung crown."
"Slowly but surely, we’re on track to our target now [dahil] nasa Final Four kami ngayon. Hopefully, mag-tuloy tuloy yung wins namin this second round."
Just like in their first-round encounter—where the Tigresses had to mount a second-half rally to claim a 79-55 win last October 18—UST once again started flat, allowing a triple and a layup from Cheska Apag in back-to-back possessions that gave Adamson a 31-26 lead midway through the second quarter.
This time, however, it didn’t take long for UST to find its rhythm. The unit of Danganan, Breana Pineda, Agatha Bron, Sierba, and Pastrana orchestrated a blistering 25-9 run to seize a 51-40 halftime lead.
That explosive second quarter proved to be the game’s turning point as the Tigresses continued their onslaught, extending the margin to as wide as 22 points in the third period. Brigette Santos and Barby Dajao then delivered back-to-back baskets to close the quarter with a commanding 73-53 cushion heading into the final frame.
Pastrana led UST with a double-double performance of 19 points and 12 rebounds, alongside three steals and a block. Sierba had a flawless outing, finishing with 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting clip, adding four assists, four steals, and three rebounds.
Danganan chipped in 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting with six rebounds and a block, while Rachelle Ambos also scored 11 points and grabbed six boards to highlight UST’s balanced offense.
The Growling Tigresses will look to keep their spotless record intact when they face the struggling University of the Philippines on Wednesday, November 5, still at the MOA Arena.
Meanwhile, Adamson fell to a 3-6 slate, absorbing its third loss in four games.
Gilas Pilipinas Women 3x3 standout Elaine Etang led the Lady Falcons with 23 points, five steals, and three assists, while Apag contributed 16 points, four rebounds, and four steals.
Adamson will aim to bounce back against Far Eastern University in a crucial match for the remaining Final Four slot on Sunday, November 2, also at the MOA Arena.
The Scores:
UST (95) - Pastrana 19, Sierba 13, C. Danganan 11, Ambos 11, McAlary 8, Pineda 8, Onianwa 7, Bron 7, Santos 5, Soriano 2, Relliquette 2, Dajao 2, K. Danganan 0, Pescador 0, Serrano 0.
AdU (66) - Etang 23, Apag 16, Manlimos 9, A. Alaba 5, Bajo 4, Limbago 4, Adeshina 2, Meniano 2, Munoz 1, Padilla 0, E. Alaba 0, Cortez 0, Mazo 0, Carcallas 0, Ornopia 0.
Quarterscores: 24-26, 51-40, 73-53, 95-66.