MANILA, Philippines - Kristine Siapoc fired eight triples as University of Santo Tomas repeated over Centro Escolar University, 73-57, at the start of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup women’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena yesterday.
The Tigresses went on a hot start and posted double-digit leads but the Lady Scorpions bounced back in the second period only to fade after ther former reasserted their might and won pulling away.
The two teams split their matches in the recently concluded Pilipinas Chinese Amateur Basketball League.
“I told my teammates that we should win this one to prove that our last win over them was no fluke,†said Siapoc in Pilipino.
Siapoc went five-for-five from the long range as the Tigresses raced to a 25-11 lead at the end of the first period. The Lady Scorpions fought back from 17 points down, 13-30, to within, 32-35, but Apet Pontejos (16 points) and point guard Demi Lou Villanueva (10 points) took over to fend off the CEU side.
“Tin just continued to hit her shots,†said UST head coach Chris Cantonjos. The former Growling Tiger said that he is fielding six new players for the next season and that they hope to use the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup as a springboard for the UAAP.
Jhen Angeles backstopped Siapoc with 10 points.
UST made it a twin kill as the Tiger Cubs defeated the UP Junior Maroons, 91-86, in juniors play. Nicole Luna and Vince Ferrer, younger brother of current Growling Tigers’ star Kevin, scored 19 and 13 points, respectively, to lead their squad while UP was paced by Enzo Barraquias with 27 points.