The defending champion UST Growling Tigresses beat the NU Lady Bulldogs, 90-66, to stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST improved to 3-0 and handed NU its first loss of the season. The win was a rematch of last season’s Finals, when the Growling Tigresses took the title from the Lady Bulldogs in three games. The two teams have met in each of the last three women’s basketball finals.
UST Takes Control to End First Half
UST closed the first half on a 15-4 run to lead by 17 points, 47-30, and Oma Onianwa already had a double-double by the break. The Growling Tigresses stayed in double digits going into the final period as their tall frontline kept NU quiet in the paint. They kept pulling away in the fourth quarter and led by as many as 27 points.
“I think in this first test, na-prove naman nila,” said UST assistant coach Jude Paulite. “If it’s to speak of the effort of the girls, their effort started five days ago when we started preparing for this game. Today, they gave their almost perfect effort, and I think it showed on the scoreboard.”
Growling Tigresses Step Up in Marquee Matchup
Five Growling Tigresses scored in double figures. Onianwa had 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Karylle Sierba also scored 17 points and added 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Agatha Bron had 14 points, Coi Danganan chipped in 13, and Erinn McAlary had 11.
For NU, Marga Villanueva led in scoring with 12 points. Ann Pingol posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, Cielo Pagdulagan added 11 points, and Aloha Betanio had 10.
UST will next face the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 a.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Later that day at 12:00 p.m., NU will face the UE Lady Warriors.
