Tigresses break down
against UE Lady Warriors
by Cyreel Gian Zarate
The Growling Tigresses failed to advance in the finals after suffering a heartbreaking defeat against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 62–69, in the semifinal round of the UAAP Season 80 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday, Nov. 25.
With four seconds left in the final quarter, emotions went high between both teams, as Sai Larosa and Love Sto. Domingo were involved in an altercation which resulted in an all-out brawl.
Larosa was slapped with a disqualifying foul for throwing a fist at Sto. Domingo, alongside UE’s Erica Ebeza, Anne Requiron, and Princess Pedregosa for clearing the bench.
UE Head Coach Aileen Lebornio would be called for a technical foul for letting her players clear the bench during the fight.
UST Head Coach Haydee Ong was frustrated with the officials for failing to control the squabble.
“Hindi talaga kinontrol nung referee yung buong 4th quarter, especially yung mga extra motions nung mga players [sa UE],” Ong exclaimed. “Wala eh hinayaan nila so ayun na, nagkagulo-gulo na.”
Up by 56–47, UST was held scoreless until 4:30 while UE ignited a 11–0 run that gave them the lead, 56–58. UE’s Joyce Francisco buried a go-ahead jumper to give her team a two possesion lead, 61–66. Ruthlaine Tacula and Sto Domingo would book their trip to Finals by hitting 3 of 4 free throw attempts, 62–69.
UST was only limited to 6 points compared to UE’s 23.
Asked about their meltdown during the deciding period, Ong also expressed her frustrations over the officials for their questionable calls against UST.
“May mga fouls na hinahatak na mga yung mga players hinahawakan yung jersey, and they were not calling, pero sa amin manipis [yung tawag],” Ong stated. “Kung pinaglaro lang kami ng mga referees dito, sana it would be a different outcome.”
The Lady Warriors were given 35 attempts from the charity stripe compared to UST’s 19.
The Tigresses dictated the tempo in three quarters, including a 10–0 surge in the beginning of the second canto, 26–12, giving them the biggest lead of the game. Anjel Anies would lead the Tigers with 16 points in the first half, but was held scoreless in the second.
Anies and Sai Larosa led UST with 16 points apiece in a losing effort.
UE’s Sto Domingo tallied game-high 18 points, while Eunique Chan chipped 16 points.
UST Tigresses finish their campaign in UAAP Season 80 in third spot.
“We’re very sad that we didn’t make it to our goal [which is] to enter to the Finals, but again I told to the team it’s one hell of a season for us. It’s a great run and we’ll come back stronger,” Ong said.
Scores:
UST (62) — Anies 16, Larosa 16, Gandalla 9, Angeles 7, Rivera 4, Peñaflor 3, Jerez 3, Sanggalang 2, Isanan 2, Aujero 0, Portillo 0, Manuel 0, Magat 0, Valera 0.
UE (69) — Sto Domingo 18, Chan 16, Francisco 14, Tacula 8, Cortizano 7, Ramos 4, Gayacao 0, Antonio 0, Nama 0.
Quarter scores:
16–10, 35–27, 56–47, 69–62
