UAAP: UST women overwhelm NU to stay unbeaten

MANILA — Defending champion University of Santo Tomas extended its dominance of National University on Saturday, claiming a comfortable 90-66 triumph to stay undefeated in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament.

The Growling Tigresses had beaten the Lady Bulldogs in a three-game Finals series in Season 89 to regain the crown and they picked up where they left off in their first meeting of the new season.

The victory hiked UST’s record to 3-0, while National U fell to their first loss.

“I think in this first test, na-prove naman nila,” said UST assistant coach Jude Anthony Paulite.

“If it’s to speak of the effort of the girls, their effort started five days ago when we started preparing for this game. Today, they gave their almost perfect effort and I think it showed on the scoreboard,” he added.

The Growling Tigresses closed the first half with a 15-4 run to build a 17-point lead, with Oma Onianwa already recording a double-double before the break.

UST maintained its double-digit advantage entering the final period, as its towering frontline limited the Lady Bulldogs’ production in the paint.

The Growling Tigresses continued to pull away in the fourth quarter, stretching their lead to as many as 27 points to seal the victory.

Onianwa finished with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks. Five Growling Tigresses scored in double figures, with Karylle Sierba matching Onianwa’s 17-point output while adding four rebounds and two steals.

Agatha Bron chipped in 14 points, while Coi Danganan and Erinn McAlary contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively.

UST will look to preserve its unbeaten record when it takes on Far Eastern University on Wednesday, October 14, at the same venue.

Ann Pingol led the Lady Bulldogs with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Marga Villanueva paced the team in scoring with 12 points.

Cielo Pagdulagan added 11 points, while Aloha Betanio contributed 10.

NU, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back when it faces the University of the East next Wednesday.

UST 90 – Onianwa 17, Sierba 17, Bron 14, C. Danganan 13, McAlary 11, Santos 6, Ambos 5, Relliquette 3, Maglupay 2, Dajao 2, Boteros 0, Pescador 0, K. Danganan 0, Wenceslao 0, Tate 0.

NU 66 – Villanueva 12, Pingol 11, Pagdulagan 11, Betanio 10, Cayabyab 6, Lapasaran 5, Rosano 4, Solis 4, Garcia 2, Alba 1, Alterado 0.

Quarterscores: 21-14, 47-30, 69-50, 90-66