UST edges Aguilas, forces sudden death

University of Santo Tomas (UST) lived to fight another day, surviving Pilipinas Aguilas, 69-64, in Game 2 to force a winner-take-all match in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational Tournament Finals late Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

With Kent Pastrana and Eka Soriano misfiring, the Growling Tigresses found heroes in Oma Onianwa and Rachelle Ambos to keep their title hopes alive.

With everything on the line, UST and the Pilipinas Aguilas are set for a winner-take-all showdown on Wednesday at the same venue.

Onianwa delivered on both ends in the final seconds, sinking a floater to extend their slim 67-64 lead to a 69-64 advantage with just 17 seconds remaining, then sealing the hard-fought win with a clutch block on Melody Cac’s three-point attempt.

The Nigerian center, who was limited to just six points in their 86-95 double-overtime loss in Game 1, logged a game-high 17 points to go along with eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals for UST.

Meanwhile, Ambos, who saw just four minutes of action and scored only two points in the series opener, erupted for 13 points on an efficient 71 percent shooting, providing the Growling Tigresses a crucial boost as Pastrana was held to just eight points, despite grabbing 12 rebounds, and Soriano was limited to just one in the win.

“Of course, we’re proud to bounce back,” UST coach Ged Austria said.

“Actually, our effort and energy were there in the first game. We drew motivation from our Game 1 loss because we know that it could have gone either way.”

“I’m so proud to win today. But, of course, even if we win, there’s still a lot of work to do.”

Karylle Sierba chipped in 12 markers for the Growling Tigresses, while CJ Maglupay flirted with a double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds as they worked their way back from an 11-point deficit in the first half.

On the other hand, Alexis Pana, Elaine Etang and Mar Prado delivered their usual numbers but failed to get ample support as they suffered their first loss to the Growling Tigresses.

Pana stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, eight boards, five assists, four steals and a block for the Aguilas, while Etang and Prado contributed 14 and 12 markers, respectively.