JUMPER. University of Santo Tomas guard Tacky Tacatac (No. 7) goes for a jumper during the game against University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday (Oct. 2, 2024). The Growling Tigresses won, 84-60. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – University of Santo Tomas secured its second straight victory after demolishing University of the Philippines, 84-60, in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday.
Tacky Tacatac fired four triples to finish with 20 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter for UST, which took commanding 84-58 lead, 1:20 remaining in the game.
Kent Pastrana had 21 points, highlighted by three triples, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals as the Growling Tigresses improved their record to 5-1.
Karylle Sierba made 11 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Gin Kayla Relliquette and Season 85 MVP Eka Soriano chipped in six and five points, respectively.
“I hope she (Tacky) continues to play well. Like they say, a shooter will always be a shooter. It will give us more space in our offense because the defenders are focused on Tacky,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said after the game.
"Even if Tacky doesn't shoot, our spacing will have room to operate for Kent and my players who drive," she added.
Kye Pesquera joined hands with Louna Ozar and Christie Bariquit as UP rallied from a 27-44 halftime deficit to move within 53-59 at the end of the third quarter.
But UST fought back behind Tacatac, Bridgette Santos and Karylle Sierba to post a 76-55 lead with 4:28 left, and never looked back.
Pesquera delivered 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Ozar Bariquit contributed 14 points each for the Fighting Maroons, who slid to fifth at 2-4.
UST also prevailed in the junior division, clobbering UP Integrated School, 87-53, to gain solo third.
Andwele Cabañero had 27 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jhon Canapi, the 2024 Junior MPBL Under-14 MVP, added 21 points, including five triples, as the Tiger Cubs secured their fourth win against two losses.
Jhustin Hallare scored 25 points followed by Bruce Tubongbanua, who had 10 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists, and four blocks for UPIS, which absorbed its sixth straight loss.
In the other game, University of the East outclassed Ateneo de Manila University, 70-59, to remain unbeaten after six games.
Enrico Bungar had 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals; Filipino-Nigerian Goodluck Okebata chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds and Gab Delos Reyes made 10 points, five rebounds and two assists for the Junior Warriors, who took a 40-20 lead at halftime.
Zane Kallos finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and four steals for the Blue Eaglets, which held a 13-2 run to close in, 49-52, at the end of the third quarter.
YJ Lacsamana had 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals, while Sky Jazul contributed eight points, five assists and five steals as Ateneo joined De La Salle-Zobel in fourth place at 3-3. (PNA)
