FOR the first time in a long while–17 years to be exact–University of Santo Tomas will go home to España as champion.
Proving they wanted it more, the Growling Tigresses essayed a nail-biting 71-69 decision over the erstwhile seven-time champion National University Lady Bulldogs yesterday in Game 3 of their title match to bag the 86th UAAP women’s basketball tournament crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nikki Villasin, a graduating guard out of Chicago, scored the biggest basket of her career–a fastbreak layup with 11.8 seconds to go that gave UST the lead for good and the title.
Tin Cayabyab, last season’s finals MVP who had her best game this series with 18 points, tried to win it for NU with a three-pointer but it went way short as time expired.
Euphoria broke loose after, with the Tigresses whooping it up on the floor with high-fives and hugs, and tears, too.
Over on the other side of court, the Lady Bulldogs wept as well, not tears of joy but the agony after failing to defend their diadem.
“I’m really lost for words. I’m really so happy for the girls, sila may gawa nito,” UST coach Haydee Ong said. “We were down big, 15 points, ang sabi ko sa kanila don’t give up, stick together, unti-untiin natin until fourth quarter, and NU gave us a lot of chances para makahabol kami.
“We made good stops in the last one minute. I think that spells the difference, iyong puso ng mga players ko na hindi bumigay kahit down 15 sila,” she added.
It was UST’s 12th title in the women’s division, making it the winningest team in league history, breaking its tie with Far Eastern University at 11.
NU was in control heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest.
The Lady Bulldogs entered the fourth quarter ahead 61-47 but they were limited to eight points the rest of the way.
Ann Pingol’s layup with 4:12 remaining gave NU a 67-58 advantage then came the UST storm stirred by graduating forward Tantoy Ferrer, who missed the 5-on-5 tournament last season due to an ACL tear.
Ferrer went on a 9-2 run by her lonesome on the back of two triples and three free throws to pull the Growling Tigresses within two with 2:20 left 69-67.
After missed chances from both sides’ multiple times, Mythical Five member Kent Pastrana’s moment came.
The Season 82 Rookie of the Year attacked Camille Clarin then made a spin move before shooting a short stab to knot the game at 69 with 26.0 seconds left that forced NU to call timeout.
