UST, NU dump foes in UAAP women’s basketball

Photo from UAAP

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas and National University kept their runs unbeaten after easily turning back their foes in the UAAP Season 82 women’s basketball tournament Wednesday.

The Golden Tigresses ripped Ateneo, 91-73, with reigning MVP Grace Irebu showing her might with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks.

“This year is going to be different, my first objective is I want to bring my team to the Finals,” said Irebu as she led UST to a 3-0 record. 

Lon Rivera added 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and three steals for the Golden Tigresses while Tantoy Ferrer did the dirty work with 13 points and 18 boards.

The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, had their way with De La Salle with a 112-58 beating over at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Rhena Itesi led NU with 20 points and 19 boards while Jhack Animam had her own double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

“I told the girls to play hard because we’ve been coming off the start very slow,” said NU head coach Pat Aquino as his team tied UST at the top with a 3-0 card. “I just want us to be consistent with everything, to start strong and finish stronger.”

NU went off in the first quarter where it grabbed a 29-9 lead to take the fight early out of the Lady Archers.