By MARK REY MONTEJO
Kent Pastrana and Ana Mae Tacatac waxed hot from afar as University of Santo Tomas annihilated University of the Philippines, 84-60, to make it two in a row in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, Oct. 2.
The reigning champions tallied 13 triples – six of them coming from Tacatac who finished with 20 points.
Pastrana, as expected, led the Espana-based squad after scattering 21 points apart from logging nine rebounds, four assists and two steals.
With Pastrana and Tacatac leading the way, UST took a 44-27 lead at the break which they gallantly protected with their rock-solid defense.
UST head coach Haydhee Ong was all praise to her wards’ showing – Tacatac in particular.
“Sabi nga nila eh, shooter will always be a shooter. It’ll give us more space in our offense kasi talagang nakatutok ‘yong mga defenders sa kaniya [Ana Mae],” said Ong.
“Kahit hindi sya nagshu-shoot, ‘yong spacing namin will have room to operate for Kent and do’n sa mga players na nagda-drive,” she added.
UP managed to cut the deficit to just six, 59-53, heading into the final canto thanks to Kye Pesquera, Louna Ozar and Christie Bariquit.
But UST refused to be cowed and launched a massive counter-attack to finally take the fight out of UP.
The scores:
UST 84 – Pastrana 21, Tacatac 20, Sierba 11, Relliquette 6, Soriano 5, Santos 4, Maglupay 4, Ambos 4, Pineda 3, Dionisio 2, Bron 2, N. Danganan 2, Pescador 0, Amalong 0, Serrano 0, Lopez 0.
UP 60 – Pesquera 20, Ozar 14, Bariquit 14, Maw 4, Tapawan 3, Barba 3, Jimenez 2, Sauz 0, Vingno 0, Solitario 0, Quinquinio 0, Lozada 0.
Quarters: 26-16, 44-27, 59-53, 84-60.
