UAAP: UST’s Karylle Sierba cherishes career-high feat on home court

MANILA – Karylle Sierba of the University of Santo Tomas took pride in achieving a career-best in scoringi along with a victory on their home court on Saturday. 

Sierba erupted for 35 points, six steals and four rebounds to lift the defending champions past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 90-76, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.  

The 20-year-old eclipsed her previous record of 23 points, which she tallied against the Adamson Lady Falcons last October 3.  

Sierba scored 20 of her total in the first half alone to give UST the edge over Ateneo. 

For Sierba, her focus was on getting the victory for UST. 

“Focus lang sa game. Malayo pa yung season and ayun, sumunod lang kami sa game plan ni coach. And ayun, super happy lang kasi lahat naman nag-effort and sobrang ganda ng binigay ng laro ng Ateneo,” she said during the post-game press conference. 

“So ayun, hindi ko rin in-expect na ito yung score ko. Pero pag pinapasok ako ni coach, 100% talaga yung binibigay ko,” Sierba added. 

The UST guard said hitting the milestone became sweeter because she was able to achieve it in the Tigers’ lair. 

“Super happy lang [ako] kasi hindi ko talaga in-expect to. And naglalaro lang talaga ako, walang ibang iniisip kundi makatulong sa team,” Sierba said. 

“Yung offense naman, hindi ko naman masyado iniisip yun. Dadating din talaga yung kapag para sa’yo,” she added. 

Despite a 5-0 start, UST Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong reminded her squad against complacency.  

“Every game naman we respect our opponent so we will give our 100% kahit anong team pa yan. And added bonus of course na we’re playing here in our den dito sa QPav. So siguro medyo inspired and may energy rin yung mga bata because we’re playing here at UST,” she said. 

The UST Growling Tigresses will next face the DLSU Lady Archers on October 21.