UST ROARS BACK TO LIFE TO FORCE WINNER-TAKE-ALL VS NATIONAL U

REMEMBER why University of Santo Tomas was the team-to-beat coming to this year?

The Growling Tigresses probably did.

Recapturing its shooting touch from deep, UST got back at rival National U with a 95-70 Game Two triumph Wednesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The black-and-gold was just firing in all cylinders, knocking down 13 triples to bury the defending champions - and more importantly, send this fiercely contested UAAP Season 88 women's basketball Finals to a winner-take-all Game Three on Sunday.

Karylle Sierba drilled 3-of-4 from deep for her 17 points and five rebounds, as the Growling Tigresses got contributions from all over to tie this best-of-three series.

Brigette Santos chimed in 15 points, seven assists, and four steals, Rachelle Ambos added 13 points, four boards, and two assists, and Coi Danganan scored 11.

"Gaya ng sabi ko last game, we shied away from our identity and did not play our defense," said coach Haydee Ong. "Ngayon, it's a total team effort. Our first group set the tone and played relentless defense from start to finish."

M-UST-win game

Indeed, that fast 20-5 start gave UST all the confidence it needed to equalize the series, and once again used a 27-point third quarter explosion to wrest control of the game where it led by as much as 31 points.

So balanced was the Growling Tigresses' assault that they did not need their usual suspects to shine just to get this W, with Mythical Team member Kent Pastrana only having eight points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Oma Onianwa getting eight and eight and was a plus-25 in the contest.

Tin Cayabyab was the lone bright spot for the Lady Bulldogs with her 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the defeat.

Marga Villanueva shot 4-of-5 from distance for her 12 points and three boards, while MVP Karl Ann Pingol got eight points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.

The Scores:

UST 95 – Sierba 17, Santos 15, Ambos 13, C. Danganan 11, Pastrana 8, Onianwa 8, Relliquette 6, Pineda 6, Bron 5, Maglupay 5, Soriano 1, Dajao 0, K. Danganan 0, Pescador 0.

NU 70 – Cayabyab 22, Villanueva 12, Pingol 8, Surada 7, Pring 6, Betanio 5, Solis 4, D. Medina 3, Alterado 3, Garcia 0, Canindo 0, S. Medina 0.

Quarters: 26-17, 48-40, 75-53, 95-70.

2025-12-10T10:15:08Z