By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of Santo Tomas completed a 14-game sweep with a 101-84 win over Far Eastern University to secure an outright Finals berth in the UAAP women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, Nov. 26.
The Tigresses used a roaring start before fending off the Lady Tamaraws’ counter in the fourth quarter through the efforts of Karylle Sierba and Coi Danganan.
With its win, the España-based squad moved two wins away from reclaiming its crown. This also marked their third straight finals appearance, while dashing FEU’s bid in the stepladder round.
Reigning titlist and No. 2 seed National University will have to wait the winner between No. 3 and No. 4 Adamson. The winner in the semis will face UST in a best-of-three title series.
“I told them to always give their best, kahit saan kaming makarating,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong. “So we’re grateful na we’ve come back to Finals again, basta kami we’ll give our all to be prepared.”
Sierba shonebrightest after collecting 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while Danganan and Oma Onianwa added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Eka Soriano and Kent Pastrana chipped in 13 points apiece while Brig Santos scored 10.
Meanwhile, UST stamped its class and mauled FEU-Diliman, 108-70, to clinch an outright spot in the stepladder semis of the 16U division.
UST improved to 10-4 at second and now awaits for its next assignment between FEU (9-5) and Adamson (9-5) which is set to tangle in the stepladder quarterfinals.
Rowie Cabañero stood out with a triple-double – his second this season – for UST off 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists with four blocks, while CJ Tabbuga posted a double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds. Miguel Jubilado also went impressive after finishing with 21 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, one block, and three steals.
Earlier, Ateneo (4-10) concluded its campaign on a high note after carving out an 84-63 triumph over De La Salle Zobel (0-14)
The scores:
UST 101 – Sierba 17, C. Danganan 15, Onianwa 14, Soriano 13, Pastrana 13, Santos 10, Maglupay 8, Ambos 5, Relliquette 4, Bron 2, Pineda 0, Pescador 0, McAlary 0.
FEU 84 – Espanol 25, Abatayo 21, Manguiat 12, Villanueva 9, Dela Torre 6, Nagma 4, Pasilang 3, Salvani 2, Ong 2, Lopez 0, Garavan 0, Patio 0.
Quarters: 28-17, 50-38, 72-59, 101-84.
