UAAP: Lady Tamaraws rally, oust Tigresses in stepladder semis

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University overcame a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to knock off University of Santo Tomas, 62-61, in the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP Season 77 women’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Angel Arellado led FEU with 18 points while Claire Castro made her presence felt on both ends with 15 points, eight rebounds and six blocks.

The Lady Tamaraws looked out of it as the Tigresses took a 58-48 advantage with 7:17 left.

But FEU regrouped and held UST to just one field goal the rest of the way with Loraine Ventura sinking the go-ahead free throw with 3.8 seconds left.

Ventura finished with five points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals.

Trailing majority of the game, Castro gave the Lady Tams their first taste of the lead since the first quarter, 61-60, with 1:08 left.

Skipper Lore Rivera topscored with 23 points, 22 through three quarters, with his only point in final frame knotting the count at 61 with 24.6 ticks left. Rivera also had 14 rebounds in her final game wearing UST’s colors.

Stocky center Maica Cortes notched a double-double with 16 points and 23 rebounds for the Tigresses, who couldn’t capitalize with their 63-41 rebounding advantage.

FEU moved on to face No. 2 and defending champion De La Salle, which owns a twice-to-beat edge, on Wednesday at the San Juan Arena.

Top seed National University swept the double round eliminations to secure an outright Finals berth and a thrice-to-beat advantage.