UP women’s team stays unbeaten

University of the Philippines preserved its unbeaten slate with a great escape over University of Santo Tomas in overtime, 73-69, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women's basketball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Fighting Maroons banked on the late-game heroics of Louna Ozar and Favour Onoh to put the fight out of the gritty Tigresses for their fifth straight win in as many starts.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University collected its fourth victory in a row at the expense of Far Eastern University, 72-64, for a 4-1 win-loss record.

Protecting a 69-68 lead with under a minute left in the extension, Ozar and Onoh sank back-to-back baskets to give UP enough breathing room with 1:22 left. The Fighting Maroons then clamped down on defense to deny UST a chance to convert a field goal the rest of the way.

"I'm happy we won a close game because that is a facet we can get better. It's a team effort and we're hoping to maintain that," UP head coach Paul Ramos said of his team's best start since winning the same number of games to begin Season 71 in 2008.

The Growling Tigresses scored the first three points in overtime but Christie Bariquit, Marielle Vingno, and Kaye Pesquera connived for six straight points for a 69-66 Fighting Maroons lead with 2:20 left.

Rachelle Ambos answered back for UST with a putback at the 1:56 mark but that would be its last field goal.

Pesquera paced the Fighting Maroons with 17 points built on four three-pointers, while Ozar chimed in 16 points and four steals. Nigerian center Onoh had nine markers, 17 rebounds and five blocks.

The Tigresses absorbed their second match in five outings despite the 19-point effort of Kent Pastrana and Tantoy Ferrer's double-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and five steals.

On the other hand, the Lady Tamaraws slid to a 2-3 slate.