UST dominates in return of UAAP HS Girls 5-on-5 Basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Girls Basketball Tournament Standings
NUNS 1-0
UST 1-0
DLSZ 0-1
Ateneo 0-1

Games Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre
8 a.m. – UST vs UE (Boys)
10 a.m. – FEU-D vs UPIS (Boys)
12 noon – NUNS vs Ateneo (Boys)
2 p.m. – AdU vs DLSZ (Boys)
4 p.m. – DLSZ vs NUNS (Girls)

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas made an emphatic debut in the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls Basketball Tournament, overpowering De La Salle Zobel with a dominant 112-50 victory to open its title defense on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Junior Growling Tigresses, the co-champions of the inaugural tournament back in UAAP Season 82 with the Adamson Baby Falcons, wasted no time making their presence felt, with 16-year-old guard Rhiane Perez leading the charge.

Perez, a Grade 10 student from Iloilo, erupted for 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting, along with seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists, as UST showcased their strength under head coach Arsenio Dysangco, who took over the program from Aileen Grajales in Season 82.

“After a long vacation nung aming girls, nags-tart na rin kami bumalik sa training where medyo off pa yung timing. Pero today, I’m very happy sa naging effort ng girls and with the way we played, we still have a lot to learn and correct pero given enough time, I’m sure they will get that rhythm going,” Dysangco shared.

The Junior Growling Tigresses quickly turned the tide after DLSZ began to close in during the second quarter. A dominant 20-3 run gave UST a commanding 51-20 lead at halftime, and they never looked back.

UST capitalized on DLSZ’s 14 turnovers in the third quarter, shooting an efficient 11-of-21 from the field, to build a 49-point, 81-32 lead entering the final period. The Junior Growling Tigresses continued their strong play, outscoring DLSZ 31-18 in the fourth quarter to seal their first UAAP 5-on-5 girls basketball win since March 6, 2020 and join idle NUNS at the top.

Perez was well-supported by Jannah Wenceslao, who posted a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds with three steals.

Kassandra Tambawan also had an impressive outing, finishing with 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting, adding six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal.

Grachelle Boteros contributed 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Barby Dajao and Sybil Onate each chipped in nine points.

UST’s next test will come against Ateneo de Manila University next Sunday, February 2, at the same time and venue.

For DLSZ, Erica de Luna led the charge in the losing effort with 15 points, four rebounds, and one steal.

Sofia Martinez added 10 points, three rebounds, and one assist.

Princess Cordero finished with eight points, five rebounds, and one assist, while Irish Notarte contributed six points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Fifth Game (Girls):

UST (112) - Perez 21, Wenceslao 17, Tambawan 13, Boteros 12, Dajao 9, Onate 9, Pinuela 6, Floreindo 6, Abrantes 5, Anonuevo 3, Villarin 3, Insoy 2, Banate 2, Petalcorin 2, Arciaga 2.

DLSZ (50) - De Luna 15, Martinez 10, Cordero 8, Notarte 6, Navarro 5, Reyes 3, Ogario 3, Vivanco 0, Dominguez 0, Poral 0.

Quarterscores: 27-13, 54-20, 81-32, 112-50.