UAAP: UST bounces back, Ateneo beats FEU in women’s basketball

UST’s Kent Pastrana against La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas turned to veteran Kent Pastrana and Karylle Sierba to regain its winning ways, holding off La Salle, 76-68, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Holding a precarious three-point lead, 56-53, entering the fourth, UST unleashed an 11-0 run for a 67-53 spread with 8:20 before Sierba scored five straight points to keep the Lady Archers at bay with a 74-59 lead.

Pastrana delivered 21 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks as the Tigresses (4-1) bounced back from a tough first loss to last year’s runner-up National University last week, while Sierba had 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

READ: UAAP: NU beats UST, Adamson stuns Ateneo in women’s basketball

UST coach Haydee Ong, Kent Pastrana, and Karylle Sierba talk about their win over La Salle. #UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/xAzWsoeRAn

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 29, 2024

“Sabi nga ni coach. Hindi kami happy ngayon na puro kami turnovers kahit panalo kami pero kailangan namin aralin yung mga turnovers na yun,” said Pastrana after her team committed 27 turnovers. “Ginawa ko lang yung best ko, part ko as a leader ng team. Sumunod na rin yung mga bata lalo na si Sierba.”

Brigette Santos was also instrumental with 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals but coach Haydee Ong wasn’t satisfied with their victory despite managing to force 38 turnovers and having 21 steals.

“Nagadjust kasi ako come the fourth quarter because sabi ko it cannot be na dikit yung laban namin, so I needed to adjust, naglagay ako ng four guards tapos doon kami lumamang and pushed La Salle to many turnovers,” said Ong.

UST limited Luisa San Juan, who came from a record-setting 10 triples for a 34-point outing in their first win last week, to a 2-of-10 three-point shooting and 16 points.

The Lady Archers dropped to a 1-5 record with Patricia Mendoza leading the way with 21 points and 18 rebounds. Lee Sario also struggled with 13 points on a 25-percent shooting clip to go along with eight turnovers.

Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Meanwhile, Ateneo pounced on short-handed Far Eastern University with reigning MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and Sarah Makanjuola posting double-doubles in a 69-53 rout.

Dela Rosa recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Nigerian student-athlete Makanjuola had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the solo fourth place with an improved 3-2 record.

“We’re looking for some consistency and I expected us to be a little bit rocky in the first round… It’s a big adjustment for all of us, but I think our girls are responding well,” said Ateneo coach La Mumar. “We’re an inside-out team and we feel that we can really build the team around these two girls (Dela Rosa and Makanjuola)… We’re gonna roll with that identity.”

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

Gracie Batongbakal contributed nine points on an efficient 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc for the Blue Eagles, while Junize Calago had nine points and 10 rebounds.

FEU absorbed its fifth loss in six games, missing Shane Salvani, who served a one-game suspension, and injured import Josee Kaputu, who is out with an ACL injury. 

Salvani, who averaged 14.25 points, 5.25 rebounds, 3.75 assists, and 1.25 steals in four games, was ejected in their previous game against La Salle after committing a disqualifying foul in the final seconds, where she was caught clotheslining Dela Paz during FEU’s 65-89 loss.

Yvette Villanueva stepped up with  18 points and nine rebounds, while MJ Manguiat struggled with 10 points on an 18 percent shooting clip.

The Scores:

First game:

UST (76) – Pastrana 21, Sierba 16, Santos 12, Maglupay 8, Soriano 6, Bron 5, Ambos 4, Relliquette 2, Tacatac 2, Dionisio 0, Serrano 0, N. Danganan 0, Pescador 0, Pineda 0.

DLSU (68) – Mendoza 21, San Juan 16, Sario 13, Santos 4, Delos Santos 4, Camba 4, Paraiso 2, Bacierto 2, Sunga 2, Dalisay 0, Rodriguez 0.

Quarterscores: 20-27, 36-37, 56-53, 76-68

Second game:

Ateneo (69) – Dela Rosa 20, Makanjoula 17, Batongbakal 9, Calago 9, Villacruz 4, Oani 4, Cruza 3, Cancio 2, Fetalvero 1, Angala 0, Lopez 0, Eufemiano 0, Olivenza 0, Nieves 0, Salgado 0, Aquirre 0.

FEU (53) – Villanueva 18, Manguiat 10, Libor 8, Pasilang 5, Lopez 5, Ong 4, Dela Torre 3, Paras 0, Nagma 0, Gavaran 0.

Quarterscores: 18-7, 28-19, 48-34, 69-53