MANILA – Negrense guard Kent Jane Pastrana sparked a furious second-half rally to keep the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses unbeaten, stunning the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 75-66, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament over the weekend at the Blue Eagles Gym.
Down by six at halftime, the Tigresses roared back with a dominant 21–7 third-quarter run to seize control and hand the Blue Eagles their first defeat of the season. The win cemented UST’s spotless 4–0 record and marked yet another impressive road sweep at Ateneo’s home court.
Pastrana powered UST with a double-double of 28 points and 11 rebounds, along with four steals and two assists. “We just stayed focused and trusted our system,” said Pastrana, whose relentless drives and midrange hits anchored the comeback.
Bench spark Karylle Sierba chipped in 12 points, while Bridgette Santos delivered an all-around game of 10 points, eight steals, five assists, and four rebounds. Their combined efforts compensated for the off-night of foreign student-athlete Isioma Onianwa, who was limited to just two points on 1-of-5 shooting.
Ateneo’s Camille Malagar paced the Blue Eagles with 12 points, while Sarah Makanjuola added 11 markers and 10 rebounds. Two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa struggled, managing only six points and nine boards on 2-of-7 shooting as Ateneo fell to 3–1.
The Tigresses’ triumph capped a dominant day for UST, which swept all three of its matchups at the Blue Eagles Gym — with the Tiger Cubs defeating the Blue Eaglets, 83–74, in the U-16 division, and the Growling Tigers outlasting Ateneo in a triple-overtime thriller, 98–89, in the men’s bracket./PN
