BIG CATS BARE FANGS: Tigresses, Tiger Cubs boost title hopes

Games Sunday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

10 a.m. — UST vs UE (juniors)

1 p.m. — NU vs UST (women’s)

University of Santo Tomas (UST) is not relinquishing its throne just yet.

With their backs against the wall, Brigette Santos and rookie Karylle Sierba emerged as heroes to rescue the Growling Tigresses from the jaws of defeat in a thrilling 78-68 Game 2 win over erstwhile unbeaten National University (NU) in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s basketball finals Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Sierba scored 15 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter, including a trey and a pair of free throws in the closing 10-3 run that sealed UST’s all-important win to force a rubber match in the best-of-three series.

Game 3 is set Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Third-year guard Santos dropped a career-high 27 points on 11-of-21 field goal shooting and dished out four assists for the Tigresses, who survived Game 2 despite throwing away a 15-point lead they built in the second canto.

“Very proud because it’s all a team effort from offense to defense. We had miscues on our defense, and then we adjusted,” UST coach Haydee Ong said after handing NU its first loss of the season snapping a 15-game win run.

“One hell of a game from Brigette and Karylle. Salute to those two.”

Kent Pastrana, who received her third straight Mythical Five selection during the awarding rites held before tipoff, added 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals for UST.

The Lady Bulldogs, who took Game 1, 72-71, last Sunday, entered the payoff period with a one-point lead. NU took a 53-52 advantage before Sierba nailed a triple that ignited a 14-6 run for a 66-59 UST lead with 6:11 left in the game.

Camille Clarin stopped the Lady Bulldogs’ bleeding with a triple but Santo and Sierba kept UST at a safe distance with key baskets.

Rookie of the Year winner Cielo Pagdulagan had 16 points, Clarin had 12 markers — scoring NU’s last nine points in the game — while Karl Pingol and Angelica Surada had 12.

The Tigresses came out smoking in the first half and erected a 24-9 advantage with 7:45 in the second quarter off a Santos basket.

But just like in Game 1, NU clawed its way back and even took the lead, 41-39, with 4:56 left in the third period after Princess Fabruada sank two foul shots.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University’s Kacey dela Rosa was named back-to-back Most Valuable Player and was joined by teammate Sarah Makanjoula, Pastrana, Louna Ozar of University of the Philippines and Surada.

On the other hand, the Tiger Cubs closed in on claiming the junior high school crown after beating University of the East, 98-84, in their finals series opener.

Jhon Canapi led UST’s charge with 30 points on 11-of-22 shooting including 5-of-11 from deep, pulled down six rebounds with three steals and one assist.

Miguel Jubilado added 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, while Andwele Cabañero flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and eight dishes for the Tiger Cubs, who are one win away from ending a 23-year title drought.

UST opened the floodgates in the second quarter, outscoring the Junior Warriors, 33-14, on its way to a blowout win.

Kiefer Panganiban and Gabriel Oraa led UE with 14 points each, while Enrico Bungar added 12 points and six assists.

The Scores:

First game

UST (98) — Canapi 30, Jubilado 23, Cabañero 21, Castro 10, Bathan 8, Balague 6, Guerrero 0, Guinto 0, Duenas 0, Villacarlos 0, Aguilar 0, Lim 0, Javier 0.

UE (84) — Oraa 14, Panganiban 14, Bungar 12, Garcia 11, Delos Reyes 11, Pascual 10, Mesina 9, Ferreros 2, Okebata 1, Orca 0.

Quarters: 26-21, 59-35, 78-56, 98-84.

Second game

UST (78) — Santos 27, Sierba 18, Pastrana 11, Bron 8, Soriano 6, Danganan 6, Maglupay 2, Tacatac 0, Ambos 0, Serrano 0.

NU (68) — Pagdulagan 16, Clarin 12, Pingol 11, Surada 10, Fabruada 5, Villanueva 5, Betanio 4, Konateh 3, Canuto 2, Cayabyab 0, Talas 0.

Quarters: 20-9, 32-25, 48-49, 78-68.