Tigresses extend dominant streak to four, trash UP’s much-needed game
By Anton Villegas
The UST Growling Tigresses ended the first round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s basketball tournament on a high note with a 21-point victory over the UP Fighting Maroons, 82–61, Saturday morning, at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The UP Fighting Maroons bowed down to UST’s physical efforts, reflecting their defensive prowess as they forced UP to 26 turnovers to extend their winning ways to four games.
Tigresses lead guard Tacky Tacatac, hit off with a 19-point outing to go along with nine boards and [assists].Nikki Villasin followed up with 16 marker to help in the scoring category.
UP Guard Kaye Pesquara tried to help the Fighting Maroons inch closer to UST as she made 18 points with an efficient 50 percent shooting from deep.
The opening salvo started with a 21–6 run courtesy of the Growling Tigresses as they dominated the Fighting Maroons through their pressure defense forcing multiple turnovers and converting them into fastbreak points.
The first quarter ended with a 7–0 run from the Tigresses as they built a 15-point lead at the end of the quarter, 28–13.
The second period was not any different as UST maintained their 15-point lead despite UP’s 7–0 run midway the second quarter, 43–28.
Opening the second half, Pesquera drained a three pointer immediately and with the help of the Tigresses’ foul trouble, the lead was cut down to six points. UST answered with their own run to take a 13-point lead entering the final salvo, 62–49.
The Growling Tigresses finished the game with a dominant 21-point lead as they did not allow UP to crawl back in the final salvo.
Soriano iced the game with seven points in the fourth to bag their fourth straight victory, 82–61.
The UST Growling Tigresses will be claiming their place in the team standings at second, one place below the undefeated NU Lady Bulldogs who continues to be untarnished since 2013.
The Scores:
UST 82– Tacatac 19, Villasin 16, Soriano 15, Santos 10, Pangilinan 7, Bron 5, Ambos 4, Villapando 4, Dionisio 2, Serrano 0, Araza 0.
UP 61 — Pesquera 18, Larrosa 13, Bariquit 8, Tapawan 8, Domingo 5, Maw 2, Lozada 2, Gonzales 2, Jimenez 0, Sauz 0, Rivera 0, Vingo 0.
