UNIVERSITY of Sto. Tomas pulled off a stunning 76-72 upset of eight peat-seeking National University, 76-72, in Game One of the UAAP Season 86 women's basketball finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Kent Pastrana, who finished third in the MVP race, led the way with 15 points, six rebounds, and four steals as the Tigresses moved a win away from their first UAAP title in nearly two decades.
UST takes inside track in championship chase
It was a historic victory, to say the least, as UST snapped its 11-year, 20-game winless drought to NU in the tournament.
“I’m so happy of course that finally, meron kaming panalo against NU, which is most important because this is the championship series. So thank you sa mga girls, they really worked hard for this — the whole team.
“Until the last second, na pwedeng humabol yung NU but they kept their composure and 'di na nangyari 'yung what happened last time. I’m just so happy," said UST head coach Haydee Ong.
An all-important double-double display from Tantoy Ferrer (13 points and 13 boards) was of the essence to trickle down an in-form Lady Bulldogs side in only their second loss of the season.
Close as it was in the end, Camille Clarin's game-high 18-point outing couldn't save the seven-time champs from the depths of a rather unprecedented situation — an 0-1 hole in the championship which they've long ruled and won.
UST, meanwhile, can deal the dagger to NU's eight-peat bid and hand the Lady Bulldogs their first title series defeat since 2016 to La Salle.
The scores:
UST (76) – Pastrana 15, Tacatac 14, Ferrer 13, Santos 10, Villasin 10, Dionisio 6, Maglupay 4, Amatong 2, Serrano 0, Soriano 0, Ambos 0, Bron 0.
NU (72) – Clarin 18, Pingol 11, Berberabe 8, Konateh 8, Betanio 7, Cayabyab 5, Surada 5, Fabruada 4, Canuto 3, Solis 3.
Quarterscores: 20-12, 36-31, 54-51, 76-72
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