UP Lady Maroons, nginata ng Tigresses

KASUNOD ng dikit lamang na kabiguan nila sa kamay ng defending champion National University, bumawi ang University of Santo Tomas at dinurog ang University of the Philippines,129-43, kahapon ng umaga sa pagpapatuloy ng UAAP Season 81 women's basketball tournament sa Araneta Coliseum sa Quezon City.

“I think (the players) made a statement today with hard work and teamwork,” pahayag ni UST Tigresses mentor Haydee Ong. “I’m very happy because everybody contributed.”

Pinangunahan ni Sai Larosa ang nasabing panalo ng UST sa itinala nitong 28 puntos, 12 rebounds, 8 assists at 5 steals.

Ito ang unang laro ni Larosa matapos i-served ang one-game suspension sa pagsisimula ng season na ipinataw sa kanya noong pang last season’s semifinals.

Sinundan siya ni Congolese Grace Irebu na may 24 puntos at 13 rebounds.

“I think si Sai, she’s on her last year. She can bring the team talaga together with her leadership. Si Sai kase we works both ends, offense and defense. Grace, I think she is still adjusting. It’s only for her first year,” ayon pa kay Ong.

Muntik ding nagtala ng triple double su Reynalyn Ferrer na tumapos na may 17 puntos, 12 rebounds at 9 na steals para sa UST.

Ang kanilang full court press at depensa na pinangunahan ni Irebu ay di nagawang mabasag ng Lady Maroons.

Ang nasabing kabiguan, ang ika-18 sunod para sa Lady Maroons’ mula pa noong Season 79.