Hot-shooting Tigresses maul Blue Eagles

MANILA, Philippines -- The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses rained down 3-pointers to completely decimate the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 77-54, in UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball action Wednesday afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The defending champions heated up and sank 12 3-pointers in the game as they blew Ateneo away en route to their second straight win.

Kent Pastrana paced the Tigresses with 20 points, eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block. Tacky Tacatac added 14, while Eka Soriano had 12 markers, seven dimes and three boards.

UST sank six 3-pointers in the first quarter, which set the tone the whole game.

Ateneo was able to cut a 16-point lead to just five, 41-46, in the halfway point of the third quarter, but the Espana-based cagers were able to hit big shots to keep the Eagles at bay.

With Ateneo trailing by just 13, 50-63, UST broke the game wide open in the fourth with a 11-3 run to hike the lead to 19, 72-53, with about three minutes to go, shutting the door completely on any comeback attempt.

Amby Ambos had 10 points, seven rebounds and a steal for UST.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Kacey dela Rosa had a solid double-double performance of 22 point and 20 rebounds on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting, but it was not enough to tow the Blue Eagles to the win.

She was the lone Ateneo player in double digits as Kailah Oani and Juzine Calago chipped in eight apiece.

“It’s a total team effort. Lahat talaga nagtulungan,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said.
“Of course, Ateneo, alam nating andoon si Kacey. So as much as possible, we limit the output, pero hindi pa rin, 22 points, 20 rebounds. I think, more effort pa from us on the second round pagdating against Ateneo,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Adamson Soaring Falcons also won back-to-back games after keeping the La Salle Lady Archers winless this season, 65-54, also at the Big Dome.

Elaine Etang carried the load with 15 points, five rebounds, five steals and two assists. Kat Agojo added 12 markers.

Lee Sario tallied 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists for La Salle, who dropped to 0-2 for the season.