Tigresses burning bright
In its reign of seven straight titles in the UAAP, National University’s (NU) Lady Bulldogs had never been threatened as they are now: A fiery group of Tigresses has put the defending champions on the verge of losing their queendom.
“I told [the Tigresses that] we have been through a lot of overtime this season, maybe the kids already learned from their past mistakes [and we knew] what to do this time,” University of Santo Tomas (UST) coach Haydee Ong said after a 76-72 victory over NU on Wednesday in Game 1 of the UAAP women’s basketball Finals at Mall of Asia Arena.The one thing they learned well was to make sure they didn’t let up until the final buzzer.
“Until the last second where NU could’ve come back, [the Tigresses] kept their composure,” Ong said.
UST had NU on the ropes during their second meeting in the elimination round. Up by three in regulation with 12.5 seconds to play, the Tigresses watched as Tin Cayabyab made a triple to force an extra period. There, Maymay Canuto hit a game winning triple with 1.2 seconds remaining for a 77-76 victory.
UST was more careful this time around.
They pulled off 16 steals to anchor a 27-point output off turnovers and stayed in control, 73-65, with 3:30 to play in the game.
But the Lady Bulldogs had one last rally in them and Angel Surada capped that one with free throws that trimmed the deficit to 75-72, with 21 seconds remaining.
But the Tigresses held on this time and UST won its first Finals game since 2006, when it defeated Far Eastern University (FEU), 67-59, on the way to its last UAAP women’s crown.
Now, the team is on the verge of pulling off what would be one of the greatest upsets in the event.
“So happy that finally we got a win against NU which is the most important because this is the championship series,” Ong said. “Thank you to the girls [who] really worked hard for this [as well as] the whole team.”
Kent Pastrana had 15 points, six rebounds and four steals for UST, which also got 13 points and 14 rebounds from returning standout Tantoy Ferrer.
ACL injury“I came from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury so last season I was not in 5 on 5. I am so thankful that they gave me another chance to compete in my last year,” said Ferrer, who spiked her double-double with five assists and two steals.
“I really gave my best and played for coach Haydee and the team. If you give your all, the results will show,” Ferrer added. Ana Tacatac had 14 points for the Tigresses while Brigette Santos and Nikki Villasin combined for 22 points.
The Lady Bulldogs lost a Finals match for the first time since dropping a 69-61 decision to La Salle a full decade ago.
Camille Clarin led the Lady Bulldogs with 18 points while Karl Pingol 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Kacey Dela Rosa topped the women’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) race at the close of the counting for statistical points.
When she is crowned before Game 2 of the women’s Finals, Dela Rosa will be the first female basketball MVP from Ateneo since Cassy Tioseco in 2007.
The sophomore center topped the statistical race to capture the top individual award in the Season 86 women’s basketball tournament with 83.86 statistical points (SPs), edging runner-up Josee Kaputu of FEU, who garnered 82.0 SPs.
Dela Rosa averaged 19.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks to lead Ateneo to its second straight Final Four appearance before getting eliminated by the twice-to-beat defending champion National University. INQ
