MANILA – Angelina Villasin sealed the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses’ comeback from a 15-point deficit, securing a 71-69 victory over the National University Lady Bulldogs in the do-or-die Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball finals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Trailing by 15 points in the third quarter, the Growling Tigresses rallied behind Kent Jane Pastrana, Reynalyn Ferrer, and Bridgette Santos, leveling the score at 69-all with under a minute left.
After a missed shot by the Lady Bulldogs, Ferrer located Villasin unmarked on the other side for a layup, propelling the Growling Tigresses to a 71-69 lead with 11 seconds remaining.
The stout defense of the Growling Tigresses denied Kristine Cayabyab’s three-point attempt, thwarting the Lady Bulldogs’ hopes in their last opportunity to clinch the championship.
Ferrer was named Finals MVP after finishing with a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Pastrana added 16 points and Villasin contributed 12 for the Growling Tigresses.
“Sabi ko kay coach (Haydee Ong na) hindi puwede kaming e-exit kami dito sa UST team na walang championship na ibibigay sakanya. Sa wakas coach, nabalik na natin yung korona sa España,” Ferrer said.
This was UST’s 12th championship in the women’s division, first since 2006, making them the winningest team in league history, breaking its tie with Far Eastern University at 11.
“I am really lost for words. I am really so happy for the girls, sila may gawa nito,” said Ong. “We were down big, sabi ko sa kanila don’t give up, stick together, unti-untiin natin until fourth quarter.”
“NU gave us a lot of chances para makahabol. We made good stops in the last one minute. I think that spelled the difference, yung puso ng mga players ko na hindi bumigay kahit down 15 sila,” the former national team head coach continued.
Cayabyab contributed 18 points, featuring three successful outside shots, while Princess Fabruada and Karl Ann Pingol added 13 and 11 points, respectively, for the seven-time defending champions, the Lady Bulldogs./PN
BOX SCORE:
UST 71 – Ferrer 19, Pastrana 16, Villasin 12, Tacatac 9, Bron 4, Dionisio 4, Santos 4, Ambos 3, Maglupay 0, Soriano 0, Amatong 0, Serrano 0.
NU 69 – Cayabyab 18, Fabruada 13, Pingol 11, Berberabe 9, Surada 9, Canuto 5, Clarin 2, Konateh 2, Bartolo 0, Betanio 0, Solis 0.
Quarterscores: 19-19, 32-44, 47-61, 71-69.
