Growling Tigresses dismantle UP

by Justin Emmanuel V. Magat

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses cruised past the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 85–58, in their opening game of UAAP Season 80 women’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday.

With their lead down to two in the third quarter, 50–48, Jem Angeles led UST sparked a 35–10 run to end the game with a win, 85–58.

“There’s more room for improvement but we’re happy that we won our first game unlike last year,” UST head coach Haydee Ong told TomasinoWeb.

“We have more time for preparation this year so yung sistema namin alam na ng mga bata especially yung offense and defense,” she added.

In the first half, UST capitalized UP’s pesky defense to head into the halftime break with an 11-point lead, 44–33.

Skipper Angeles scored game-high 25 points while Sai Larosa chipped in 19 markers.

Iriss Isip led UP with 20 points in a losing effort.

UST’s next game will be against Adamson, who knocked them out in the playoffs last season, on Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Box Scores

UST 85 — Angeles 25, Larosa 19, Penaflor 12, Anies 8, Isanan 8, Rivera 5, Capilit 4, Gandalla 3, Jerez 2, Tortillo 0, Aujero 0, Sanggalang 0

UP 58 — Isip 20, Esplana 12, Domingo 8, Pesquera 5, Rodas 3, Ordoveza 3, Bascon 3, Cruz 2, Tan 0, Ongsiako 0, Viray 0, Gatpatan 0, Tan 0

Quarter Scores: 20–12, 44–33, 58–48, 85–58