WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Tigbauanon leads UST past UP for playoff berth

By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses obliterated the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 72-40, in the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Basketball tournament behind Tigbauanon Tacky Tacatac’s season-high nine steals, to ensure UST a place in the playoffs.

Defense was the key to UST’s convincing victory as they limited the Maroon offense to just 24 combined points the first three quarters, eight in the first, nine in the second, and seven in the third.

The Growling Tigresses then capitalized to convert every Maroon turnover into an easy basket, allowing UST to dictate the game throughout.

The largest lead even ballooned up to 44 points, 72-26, after UST went into a scoring rampage in the fourth, making it rain from downtown.

Tacatac, who spearheaded UST’s defensive schemes, also contributed 15 big points including tough contested triples.

Their biggest test is yet to come as the Growling Tigresses will face the powerhouse National University team this Saturday.

Tacatac’s astonishing performance helped bump UST’s winning streak to seven.