MANILA – Defending champion University of Santo Tomas crushed University of the East, 86-44, at the start of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday.
Karylle Sierba, a product of the UST High School program, led the Growling Tigresses with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Kent Pastrana, Season 86 Athlete of the Year, chipped in 15 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, while Rachelle Ambos added 13 points, 13 rebounds, and eight steals.
“I gave my best inside the court. I just stick to what coach [Haydee Ong] was saying. She told us before that Tantoy (Ferrer) is gone so we need to step," Ambos, a third-year forward, said in the post-match interview.
Ferrer, last year's Finals Most Valuable Player, has graduated.
Eka Soriano, Ambos and Pastrana delivered to give UST a 41-24 halftime lead.
The Growling Tigresses padded their advantage to 86-40, 2:15 left in the game.
Ong said UST must do better to protect the ball in their next games.
“I think we have to correct our turnovers. There are still many. Maybe there are first-game jitters. We started very excited. It’s all unforced turnovers. Hopefully in our next games, we will be able to remedy our turnovers a bit," Ong said.
Rachel Lacayanga paced the Lady Warriors with 11 points and seven rebounds, while center Kamba Kone contributed eight points, four rebounds, and an assist.
In the other game, Adamson University defeated Far Eastern University, 76-63.
The Lady Falcons staged a 13-2 rally behind Cheska Apag, Elaine Etang and Kat Agojo to take a 53-39 lead.
MJ Manguiat scored back-to-back baskets to put FEU within 47-54, but Adamson retaliated with a 12-2 blast behind Agojo, Apag, Victoria Adeshina, and Angeline Alaba to erect a 66-49 lead, 5:58 remaining.
“For us, the first game is always the hardest game you’ll ever play in any tournament. There are some jitters and excitement. We want to make a statement on our first game,” Adamson coach Ryan Monteclaro said.
Apag led the Lady Falcons with 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. (PNA)
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