The UST Growling Tigresses aim to complete their near-perfect season and reclaim the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball crown as they face the NU Lady Bulldogs in the winner-take-all Game 3.
Everything comes down to one final game.
The University of Santo Tomas braces for a winner-take-all showdown against defending champion National University in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball Finals on Sunday, December 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Growling Tigresses earned the decisive clash after a dominant 95–70 victory in Game 2, reasserting why they ruled the elimination round and entered the Finals as the top seed.
One of the biggest sparks in that bounce-back win was Karylle Sierba, who delivered an ultra-efficient outing with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting, along with five rebounds.
UST will once again look to dictate tempo in Game 3. When the Growling Tigresses are at their best, they thrive in transition, force turnovers, and turn defensive stops into quick points — exactly what they did in Game 2.
Sierba is expected to play a key role alongside a deep and balanced Tigresses rotation.
Brigette Santos, Kent Pastrana, Coi Danganan, and Oma Onianwa provide scoring punch and defensive pressure on the perimeter, while CJ Maglupay anchors the interior with relentless rebounding.
[ALSO READ: Brigette Santos delivers stellar Game 2 performance as UST forces winner-take-all vs NU]
Even when her scoring is contained, graduating star Eka Soriano continues to influence the game with playmaking, leadership, and defensive reads.
With momentum swinging back in their favor and confidence restored, the Tigresses enter Game 3 believing this is their moment to reclaim the crown they surrendered last season.
With a championship hanging in the balance, expect the Growling Tigresses to lean on their depth and championship hunger as they chase a storybook ending to their Season 88 campaign.
Tip-off is at 1:00 p.m.
(With reports from Kiko Demigillo/One Sports)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]