Tigresses book finals berth vs Lady Bulldogs

University of Santo Tomas broke its 13-year finals curse when it held off Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 76-65, in the second game of the stepladder semifinals of the UAAP Season 82 women’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tigresses last made the finals in 2006 when they won the title.

UST held what seemed to be an insurmountable lead, 43-21, heading into the half but the Lady Tamaraws made a late run in the fourth, cutting the Tigresses’ margin to five, 70-65, with 2:20 left.

Defense, however, worked late for the Tigresses with Eka Soriano intercepting Choy Bahuyan’s pass to Fatima Quiapo in the final minute of the game.

Soriano and season MVP Grace Irebu then iced the game from the line.

“We waited for years for this to happen,” UST head coach Haydee Ong said. “The program has no shortcuts. You have to work for it and finally we’re in the finals.”