BRIGETTE Santos delivered a career-defining performance in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Finals, leading defending champion University of Santo Tomas to a thrilling 78-68 victory over National University to force a winner-take-all Game 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Santos, a third-year guard from UST High School, poured in a career-best 27 points, along with four assists and two steals.
Rookie Karylle Sierba also rose to the occasion, showcasing her poise under pressure and scoring 15 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter, where the Growling Tigresses thwarted every rally attempt by the Lady Bulldogs and forced a rubber match on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST aims for back-to-back crowns while NU seeks to regain the throne it lost last year.
“I’m very proud because it’s a team effort talaga from offense to defense. Regardless sa Game 3, sabi ko nga sa mga bata, sobrang proud ako sa kanila even in the first game kahit na talo kami. Nalungkot lang kami though walang regrets talaga,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong.
“Even though we’re undersized, undermanned, no foreign student-athlete, pinakita ng mga bata na kaya namin,” added the former national team head caoch as NU barely won the rebounding battle against UST, 46-41.
The Growling Tigresses came out firing in the first half, building a commanding 24-9 lead.
However, the Lady Bulldogs, led by Rookie of the Year Cielo Pagdulagan, clawed their way back and cut the deficit to seven at halftime, 32-25.
NU seized the lead at the end of the third quarter, 49-48, but Santos and Sierba refused to back down.
With UST clinging to a slim 66-62 lead with 3:53 remaining, the duo combined for nine points in a 12-6 run that sealed the win and extended the series.
“Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sa teammates ko at especially sa coaches namin na hindi sila nagsawang gabayan kami sa araw-araw na pagsasama namin sa training. Alam namin na binigay nila ‘yung best nila so nasa amin na ‘yung gawa. Kami ang gagawa para manalo kami,” said an emotional Santos.
“Kumpyansa lang po talaga ako kasi yung mga ate ko sobrang dinidikitan po sila so naisip ko po na hindi sila nakafocus sa akin, so ‘yun na ‘yung time para maipakita ko ‘yung skills ko, na kaya ko pong makipagtapatan sa kanila,” shared Sierba.
This victory denied NU a perfect season.
The Lady Bulldogs, who entered the game with a 15-0 record, were looking to become the first team to sweep the tournament since Season 82.
NU drew first blood in the series, 72-71, last Sunday.
Three-time Mythical Team member Kent Pastrana contributed 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Season 85 MVP Eka Soriano added six points, seven rebounds, seven steals, and four assists.
The Growling Tigresses were scrappy all game long, forcing the Lady Bulldogs to commit 23 turnovers that led to 18 points. Moreover, UST sank nine triples in the game compared to six for NU.
Pagdulagan led NU with 16 points, nine of which came in the first half while captain Camille Clarin added 12 points on three triples, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
Ann Pingol chipped in 11 points and nine rebounds, while Angel Surada tallied 10 points and seven rebounds. Tin Cayabyab, however, struggled, missing all seven of her attempts and finishing scoreless.
Game 3 is set for Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where UST will aim for back-to-back championships while NU looks to reclaim the throne it lost last season.
Games on Sunday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
10 a.m. – UST vs UE (JHS Boys’ Game 2)
1 p.m. – NU vs UST (Women’s Game 3)
