University of Santo Tomas (UST) moved to the brink of securing a playoff spot after dismantling Cavite-TOL with a dominant 96-46 victory in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational Tournament late Wednesday at the Divine Light Academy Gym.

The Growling Tigresses, now at 5-1, tied Philippine Navy for the top spot in a tightly contested Pool B of the tournament.

UST’s lead ballooned to as much as 51 points, 96-45, following an Oma Onianwa layup with 2:27 left in the game.

“Happy, but at the same time, we still have a lot of work to do. Even if we post convincing wins, I’m sure other teams are also improving and preparing,” Growling Tigresses head coach Ged Austria said.

“Most of the teams here were formed just before the tournament started. Being a school-based team, our goal is more than just winning — it is to get better. We still have a lot of work to do.”

Karylle Sierba led UST’s offensive onslaught, erupting for 23 points on an ultra-efficient 11-of-13 shooting, while also collecting eight rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

Kent Pastrana contributed 11 points and eight assists with just one turnover while Vergen Maglupay notched a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, along with three assists. Onianwa added eight points, six rebounds, three steals, and four boards in just 14 minutes of play.

Charmaine Natural carried the scoring load for Cavite-TOL, finishing with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, along with eight rebounds.

Despite the lopsided loss, the Lady Patriots (2-4) remain in contention for the last two playoff spots in Pool A, alongside Far Eastern University (2-3).

Meanwhile, San Juan and Far Eastern University bolstered their respective playoff bids.

The Lady Knights survived a rusty start to edge out Centro Escolar University (CEU), 43-42, effectively eliminating the Lady Scorpions while moving closer to the next round.

With 50 seconds left, Jhenn Angeles nailed a clutch stop-and-pop jumper from the left elbow — her only field goal of the game — to give San Juan a 43-40 lead.

CEU had chances to respond but failed to capitalize on their possessions. Jhianne Ferolino scored on a putback off her own miss with just 0.2 seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Knights secured the win.

Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws breezed past Imus-SIS VBL Lady Magdalo, 91-60, to claim solo fourth place in Pool A.

Cassandra Salvani spearheaded FEU’s balanced attack with 14 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Amyah Español and Erica Lopez chipped in 13 points each.