Clare Castro had 32 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks as second-ranked Far Eastern University arrange a title duel with National University with a 68-66 squeaker over No. 4 University of Santo Tomas yesterday in the UAAP Season 81 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After a shotclock violation called on the Lady Tamaraws, the Tigresses tried to force an overtime in the final 6.3 seconds, but Tin Capilit’s last-gasp lay-up rimmed out cruelly.
“Suwerte na dumating si Clare, may rebounder kami. Kahit paano nabubuhayan kami,” said coach Bert Flores.
Flores thus duplicated the feat of former De La Salle coach Juno Sauler, who also reached the Finals of the women’s and men’s division.
The Lady Tamaraws, however, will face a gargantuan task of ending the Lady Bulldogs’ 78-game winning streak in the best-of-three series starting Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
