THE mighty Tigresses have done it.
University of Sto. Tomas is now home to the new queens of women's hoops after dethroning National University, 71-69, in Game Three of the UAAP Season 86 women's basketball finals.
UST ends 17-year wait
After seven successive title romps, the Lady Bulldogs' reign has come to an end at the hands of the gritty Tigresses who brought the title back to España after a wait of 17 long years.
Tantoy Ferrer was hailed Finals MVP with averages of 15.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, three assists, and 1.3 steals, coming full circle after suffering an ACL tear in last season's 3x3 women's hoops semifinals.
“I’m really lost for words. I’m happy for the girls. Sila ang gumawa nito. We’re down big but sabi ko lang sa kanila, don’t give up. Stick together. Unti-untiin natin. 'Yung puso ng players ko, hindi sila bumigay kahit down sila," said UST head coach Haydee Ong.
With a game-high 15-point lead to protect, it looked like it would just be a matter of time before NU completes a historic eight-peat.
But UST simply refused to go away.
A late 11-2 run capped by Kent Pastrana's game-tying layup (69-all) and Nikki Villasin's go-ahead scoop with nine seconds left won UST the title it ever- so longed for after nearly two decades.
"This will go down in history for UST. The last time we had our championhisp was in 2006. I think that says a lot of the level of NU. They raised the bar for women’s basketball seven times, seven consecutive years.
"It’s one hell of a program, and beating them today and never giving up — that says a lot for these special ladies that they deserve to be UAAP champions," said Ong.
The scores:
UST (71) – Ferrer 19, Pastrana 16, Villasin 12, Tacatac 9, Bron 4, Dionisio 4, Santos 4, Ambos 3, Maglupay 0, Soriano 0, Amatong 0, Serrano 0.
NU (69) – Cayabyab 18, Fabruada 13, Pingol 11, Berberabe 9, Surada 9, Canuto 5, Clarin 2, Konateh 2, Bartolo 0, Betanio 0, Solis 0.
Quarterscores: 19-19, 32-44, 47-61, 71-69
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