University of Santo Tomas (UST) remained unbeaten in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 high school girls’ basketball tournament following a dominant 170-46 victory over Ateneo de Manila University to open the second round of the demonstration event on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

It was a record-breaking performance for the Junior Tigresses, setting new marks for both points scored and winning margin in UAAP girls’ basketball history.

UST’s 170-point explosion shattered the previous record of 121 points set by Adamson against Ateneo on 11 January 2020. Meanwhile, their 124-point winning margin surpassed the 99-point blowout that De La Salle-Zobel recorded against Ateneo just a week ago, 115-16.

All 16 players fielded by head coach Sen Dysangco contributed to the scoreboard, with Grachelle Boteros leading the charge with 25 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Barby Dajao, currently second in the Most Valuable Player race after the first round, made the most of her nine minutes on the court, tallying 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Rhiane Perez also delivered an efficient performance, scoring 20 points in just eight minutes.

More than the numbers, Dysangco was pleased to see his players making the most of their opportunities on the court.

“We really do not focus on the wins,” said Dysangco, who has led UST to a perfect 4-0 record.

“Our program here at UST is to improve ourselves everyday, not just in skills but also in character. Every day, we ask: ‘Are we better today as a person and as a basketball player than yesterday?’”

UST wasted no time asserting dominance, racing to a 9-0 start before erupting for 45 points in the opening quarter. The Tigresses kept their foot on the gas, scoring 42 and 44 points in the middle quarters to put the game completely out of reach.