Ilongga Tacatac shows way as UST repels UP in UAAP basketball

Ilongga Ana Tacatac of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses gestures after converting a three-pointer. UAAP PHOTO

Ilongga Ana Tacatac of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses gestures after converting a three-pointer. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses leaned on a huge second half breakaway to defeat University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 84-57, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ilongga Ana Tacatac spearheaded the offense with 23 points, including five three-point conversions, as the Growling Tigresses stayed at second place in the standings with a 7-1 win-loss slate.

“Sinabihan lang kami ni coach sa dugout na kailangan namin mag-focus sa defense kasi useless ang score namin kasi pinapa-score din namin ang kalaban kaya di kami nakakalayo. Buti nung second half na-stop namin yung UP,” said Tacatac.

Karylle Sierba made her presence felt in the second half to finish with 15 markers, while Negrense Kent Jane Pastrana and Cindy Maglupay ended with 11 and 10, respectively, for UST.

“I just told the girls that at the start of the second round we want to be better, we want to be more consistent, we want to be stronger, and the girls did it,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong.

“First half was a seesaw battle from UP, sabi ko lang sa dugout na kami naman (ang dapat mag-dominate) sa second half,” she added.

From a slim 41-38 lead at the half, the Growling Tigresses went on a 19-8 scoring blast in the third quarter behind the Pastrana and Sierba as they established a 60-46 advantage.

The Growling Tigresses continued their run in the final quarter with Tacatac connecting from the outside as the lead reached its largest at 29 points at 84-55 late in the fourth quarter.

Louna Ozar tallied 15 points and seven rebounds, while Kye Pesquera added 10 markers as the Fighting Maroons dropped to a 3-5 record.

Meanwhile, the National University Lady Bulldogs (8-0) continued their unbeaten run after a dominant 82-62 victory over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (4-4) to start their second round campaign.