UAAP: Tigresses seal No. 2 seed by beating Adamson

Action between UST and Adamson in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, November 16, 2024 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media

MANILA -- Defending champion University of Santo Tomas locked up the second seed in the Final 4 of the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament after a 60-47 win against Adamson University on Saturday.

The Growling Tigresses now hold an 11-2 record and have secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, should National University fail to complete a sweep of the elimination round.

"We want to see the best nung mga players pa rin. First to fourth quarter hindi kami consistent pero ang silver lining ay 'yung defense namin, 47 points lang ang nagawa ng Adamson," said UST head coach Haydee Ong.

Trailing throughout the first half after UST clawed back from an early 11-4 deficit, Adamson rallied back to within five with 3:33 left in the third quarter, 32-37.

But Brigette Santos led the Growling Tigresses’ answer as they went on a 10-2 blast to close the frame and reestablish a 13-point lead heading into the fourth, 47-34.

Tacky Tacatac topscored for UST with 13 points on four three-pointers, while Kent Pastrana delivered 12 points and eight rebounds.

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Brigette Santos chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds, while Karylle Sierba did it all with seven points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Koi Danganan and CJ Maglupay hauled in 10 and 12 rebounds, respectively, as the Growling Tigresses outrebounded the Lady Falcons by 22, 57-35, despite missing Rocel Dionisio for the entire second round due to personal reasons.

UST will close the eliminations against De La Salle University next Saturday also at the San Juan venue.

Kem Adeshina led Adamson with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Elaine Etang struggled with just nine points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field while also committing seven turnovers.

The Lady Falcons dropped their second straight game for an 8-5 record, now tied with the Ateneo Blue Eagles for third and fourth. They will collide next Saturday for the third spot.

The Scores:

UST 60 - Tacatac 13, Pastrana 12, Santos 10, Sierba 7, Bron 6, Soriano 5, Danganan 4, Reliquette 2, Maglupay 1, Ambos 0, Pescador 0.

AdU 47 - Adeshina 14, Etang 9, A. Alaba 6, Limbago 5, Apag 5, Padilla 4, Meniano 2, Ornopia 2, Bajo 0, Mazo 0, Cortez 0, E. Alaba 0, Agojo 0, Manlimos 0.

Quarterscores: 20-12, 30-22, 47-34, 60-47.