UAAP: UST dethrones NU, claims record-extending 13th title in women's basketball

University of Santo Tomas dethroned defending champion National University, 79-64, in Game 3 of their best-of-three championship clash to reclaim its lost glory in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Growling Tigresses extended their dominance in women’s play with a record-extending 13 titles, having previously won the crown in Season 86 before the Lady Bulldogs took it back the following year.

For the third consecutive time, UST and NU brought their championship rivalry to a winner-take-all Game 3.

UST, which earned an outright finals berth via a 14-0 sweep in the elimination round, absorbed a stunning 84-79 Game 1 defeat to NU before regaining the upper hand in the series and securing the title.

Graduating guard Kent Pastrana showed the way for UST after flirting with a double-double of 16 points and nine rebounds that she laced with five assists, five steals, and one block to be hailed as the Finals MVP of the series.

Meanwhile, Oma Onianwa dropped 15 markers along with seven boards, one steal, and two blocks.

Eka Soriano, Karylle Sierba, and CJ Maglupay provided 10 points each in the balanced effort.

UST bucked a slow start after trailing 21-11 in the first quarter before greeting the halftime with a 37-30 advantage.

The second half proved to be the turning point for the Growling Tigers as they mounted the biggest lead of the match at 65-44 at the 3:16 mark of the third quarter capped by Brig Santos’ five straight points. 

It was all UST in the quarter that followed until the final buzzer, with NU unable to respond and stage its own fightback.

“First, hats off also to NU. All the time. Parati nila kami pinapagaling every time we play against each other. So hats off sa program ng women’s basketball team nila. Eka Soriano and Kent Pastrana have been my cornerstone. Without them, mahihirapan kami to get another championship. They led the team not only on the court, but most especially off the court as well,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong. 

(First, hats off also to NU. All the time. They always make us better every time we play against eaach other. So hats off the the program of their women's basketball team. Eka Soriano and Kent Pastrana have been my cornerstone. Without them, it would be really hard for us to get another championship. They led the team not only on the court, but most especially off the court as well.)

Tin Cayabyab paced the Lady Bulldogs with a game-high 21 points on top of six rebounds, a pair of an assist and a block.

Aloha Batanio and Marga Villanueva, on the other hand, combined for 21 markers.

NU will settle for a silver medal for only the second time in 10 seasons.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News