MANILA — University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Tigresses survived a fierce late challenge from National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups, 76-74, to successfully defend their crown in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 Girls’ Basketball Finals on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
UST sealed back-to-back titles in dramatic fashion, leaning on clutch baskets and a decisive defensive stand in the final seconds to reaffirm its dominance in the high school girls’ division.
The Junior Golden Tigresses completed their redemption arc after absorbing a setback to the Lady Bullpups earlier in the tournament, using that defeat as motivation to dominate the rest of the four-team field and ultimately retain the crown.
The victory marked UST’s third championship overall in the girls’ division, adding to its co-title finish in Season 82 and last season’s sweep of NUNS in the Finals. It also extended the school’s recent success against National University’s basketball programs following a collegiate title win over the Lady Bulldogs.
Game 2 lived up to its billing as a tightly contested showdown, featuring multiple lead changes and deadlocks throughout. UST found separation in the fourth quarter behind timely baskets from Pia Petalcorin, Janice Oczon, and Season 88 Most Valuable Player Riri Perez to take a 64-60 lead.
NUNS answered with a strong push, as Aubrey Lapasaran and Zaydhen Rosano combined to tie the game at 67 with under five minutes remaining.
UST, however, delivered in crunch time, unleashing a 9-3 run highlighted by Perez, who scored on a layup and a fadeaway jumper to give the Tigresses a 76-70 cushion with just over two minutes left.
The Lady Bullpups refused to go away, cutting the deficit to 76-74 after a three-pointer by Lapasaran. But UST’s defense stood its ground, with Indonesian center Koukou Talla rejecting a potential game-tying attempt in the closing seconds to secure the championship.
Perez, a 17-year-old standout from Iloilo, was named Finals MVP after averaging 18.5 points and 10.5 rebounds along with all-around contributions across the two-game series. She finished with 12 points and eight rebounds in the title-clinching win.
Lea Pinuela and Oczon each tallied 14 points for UST, with the latter also hauling down 11 rebounds, while Petalcorin added 13 markers. Sabel Anacan chipped in nine points.
For NUNS, Lapasaran paced the Lady Bullpups with 22 points in her final high school game, Inday Sales contributed 20, and Rookie of the Year Ruiza Olmos added nine points and five rebounds./PN
