Pastrana, Santos lead UST over FEU

c/o UAAP

KENT Pastrana and Brigette Santos took over in the clutch for University of Santo Tomas to hold off Far Eastern University, 66-57, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday. 

The Growling Tigresses finished the first round with a 6-1 record for second - just behind 6-0 National University Lady Bulldogs, who are facing Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles as of publishing time. 

UST established a 13-point, 56-43 lead with 7:56 left in the fourth with eight unanswered points from Santos and Pastrana. 

However, the Lady Tamaraws responded with 10 straight points from Shane Salvani, Joann Nagma, and Maxene Dela Torre to slice the deficit to just three with 3:37 to go, 53-56. 

UST had one last run though as Pastrana and Santos connived for seven consecutive points, 63-53, to put the game away with 1:18 remaining. 

Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong lamented the team's effort despite the victory. 

“With regards with our record, I told the girls kasi this would be our last game sa first round so this should be a momentum-builder for the next round but unfortunately they didn’t play what we expected for them to play,” Ong said.

“A win is a win. ‘Yung constant namin like Kent always performs naman so we need more players to show up and help Kent for our succeeding games,” she continued. 

Pastrana ended up with 22 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks although she also committed seven turnovers. 

Tacky Tacatac added nine points while Santos got seven points, all of which she made in the fourth period. 

Power forward CJ Maglupay also made her presence felt despite only getting five points, grabbing 13 rebounds and swatting away five shots.   

Shane Salvani, who made her return after serving a one-game suspension last time out, led FEU with 16 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. However, she also made eight turnovers and shot a dismal 6-of-26 from the field. 

MJ Manguiat also had 11 points in the defeat, which was the Lady Tamaraws’ fourth straight for a 1-6 record at the bottom of the standings. 

The Scores:

UST 66 - Pastrana 22, Tacatac 9, Santos 7, Sierba 7, Bron 7, Maglupay 5, Soriano 4, Reliquette 3, Danganan 2, Pescador 0, Dionisio 0. 

FEU 57 - Salvani 16, Manguiat 11, Nagma 8, Ong 6, Dela Torre 6, Villanueva 4, Paras 4, Libor 2, Lopez 0, Pasilang 0. 

Quarterscores: 20-9, 37-24, 48-43, 66-57.