WHAT was billed as a Finals rematch turned out to be a one-sided affair for the home team.
University of Santo Tomas protected its home court and dominated rival National U, 76-62, on Wednesday at the Quadricentennial Pavilion to stay undefeated in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament.
Nigerian center Oma Onianwa was unstoppable in the paint with her monster 18-point, 15-rebound double-double as the Growling Tigresses got back at the defending champion Lady Bulldogs in their first meeting of the season.
Her presence inside was the biggest difference maker as UST owned the boards, 78 to 37, enabling it to assert control and keep NU at bay.
"Sinabi ko naman sa girls na tonight is all about how the Tigresses play their basketball. It"s all about their effort," said coach Haydee Ong, proud of how her girls did their part despite going 29-percent from the field.
"We're missing our shots but we adjusted and played our defense."
Kent Pastrana also stuffed the stat sheets, tallying 12 points, eight boards, four assists, a steal, and a block off the bench, Eka Soriano collected 11 points and four rebounds, and Rachelle Ambos had 10 points and seven boards.
Not helping NU was Angel Surada figuring in foul trouble in the first half as she finished with only three points and two rebounds.
Tin Cayabyab was also held in single digits, scoring only eight in the defeat that sent the Jhocson side down to a 1-1 card.
Xyza Pring led NU with 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists, as Karl Ann Pingol got 10 points, nine boards, four assists, and three steals.
The Scores:
UST 76 -- Onianwa 18, Pastrana 12, Soriank 11, Ambos 10, Maglupay 6, C. Danganan 5, Pineda 5, Santos 3, Pescador 3, Sierba 2, Bron 1, Relliquette 0, McAlary 0.
NU 62 -- Pring 12, Pingol 10, Villanueva 9, Cayabyab 8, Solis 8, Betanio 6, Altersdo 4, Surada 3, S. Medina 2, D. Medina 0, Garcia 0, Canindo 0.
Quarters: 20-13, 40-30, 60-42, 76-62.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
