The UST Growling Tigresses drew strength from suspended coach Haydee Ong as they rallied past the Ateneo Blue Eagles in round 2 of UAAP Season 88.
UST made sure to dig deep and keep focus as the Growling Tigresses battled the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a crucial UAAP Season 88 women's basketball clash Saturday.
This as head coach Haydee Ong was suspended for the first time in 30 years after accumulating two technical fouls.
Still, with head deputy Sen Dysangco leading the helm, the Growling Tigresses were able to improve their spotless record to 12-0, taking down two-time MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and her Blue Eagles. UST is now just two wins away from sealing an outright Finals berth.
[RELATED: UAAP: Karylle Sierba, UST stay unbeaten at 12–0, fend off Ateneo]
After the match, UST veteran Agatha Bron underscored the importance of fighting for Ong.
“For us kasi, tinake lang namin ito na yung challenge na wala si Coach Haydee,” said Bron.
“Laro kami, kahit wala si Coach Haydee, nandito man siya. Kung ano yung laro namin, yung buong team, ilalaro lang namin. Give lang namin yung best namin, for the coaches na rin and for the community,” she added.
Bron was a surprise contributor for UST in the big game against Ateneo, finishing with 15 points, two rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Meanwhile, sophomore Karylle Sierba stepped up to the plate late, hitting triples to tame Ateneo’s comeback effort in the fourth quarter.
Sierba said that UST played with a chip on their shoulder because of Ong’s absence.
“Kahit wala si Coach Haydee, nang-stick pa rin kami sa sistema ng UST, since yun nga, sobrang gigil kami noong una kasi, syempre, may kailangan kami patunayan. Nag-adjust kami noong second half and akinig na kami sa sinasabi ni Coach Sen. Naging maganda yung naipakita natin,” she said.
A united front
While coach Ong being out of the sidelines is an extremely rare occurrence, the adjustment wasn’t too hard on the part of the Growling Tigresses as the system has long been ingrained in them.
With Dysangco being one of the long-time deputies of Ong, it was an easy transition.
Even when it was the other way around, the Growling Tigresses were able to keep themselves level in the biggest of games. At the end of the day, it was all about being able to stick to the system and play their game — no matter who is on the court or off of it.
“I think one of the parang magandang sa program namin is that it's always interchangeable. Like yung nangyari sa akin nung na-suspend ako ng championship sa juniors ng Game 1, so Coach Haydee took over. It's kinda like, isa lang kasi yung galawan. Like, we have the same terminology, we have the same system, we have the same lahat,” said Dysangco.
“So, it's easier for the kids, for our players to adjust. Maganda lang talaga pag may nangyayari ganito samin sa UST Buong community, buong family namin will always come together. Tulungan lang talaga,” he added.
Ong will be back in time for their last two games of the elimination round, which comes in the nick of time especially with defending champions NU waiting around the corner in their next game.
UST faces off against NU on Sunday, November 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.