UST's Brigette Santos goes for a shot against UP in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament, October 22, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media
MANILA -- University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday completed a sweep of the first round of the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament.
The Growling Tigresses overcame the University of the Philippines, 75-61, at the Mall of Asia Arena to hike their record to a perfect 7-0.
This marks the first time that UST has swept the first round since Season 74 in 2011, when they were led by Juvelin Andaya, Paula Bombeo, and Kristine Siapoc.
But they had to weather a late surge from UP, as the Fighting Maroons clawed their way back in the fourth quarter after trailing by as many as 25 points.
"Salute to UP which gave us a good fight. We need to be more consistent on our games. We cannot play for just two or three quarters and not perform on other quarters because in the fourth, UP scored 25 and we scored 17 only but a win is a win," said UST head coach Haydee Ong.
UST set the tone early, opening the game with a 21-7 first quarter, and never looked back to secure the first-round sweep.
UP came within 12 points multiple times in the fourth quarter, but UST's lead proved insurmountable.
Brigette Santos delivered her best performance of the season, finishing with 26 points, six steals, and two assists, leading the Growling Tigresses despite their poor shooting—making only 30 of 96 field goal attempts.
Rachelle Ambos was the only other UST player in double digits, contributing 10 points and seven rebounds. Karylle Sierba struggled, scoring six points on 2-of-14 shooting, but still added six rebounds and four steals.
Kent Pastrana also had a quiet scoring night, making just two points on 1-of-9 shooting, but contributed five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
UST will aim to maintain its unblemished record when it opens the second round on Saturday against the streaking De La Salle University, also at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
"The second round will be tougher than the first round. I'm just happy na meron kaming seven wins right now," added Ong.
Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons' slide continued, suffering their fifth straight loss to finish the first round at 2-5, tied for sixth place with the Adamson Lady Falcons.
Camille Nolasco led UP with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Alex Mendoza and Marielle Vingno added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Fighting Maroons will begin the second round on Sunday against Far Eastern University at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Scores:
UST (75) – Santos 26, Ambos 10, Pineda 7, Sierba 6, Pescador 6, Relliquette 5, Bron 5, Onianwa 4, Pastrana 2, C. Danganan 2, Maglupay 2, K. Danganan 0, Dajao 0, McAlary 0, Serrano 0.
UP (61) – Nolasco 16, Mendoza 12, Vingno 10, Ozar 8, Cunanan 7, Maw 7, Tapawan 1, Evangelista 0, Solitario 0, Barba 0, Santos 0, Pascua 0, Mejasco 0, Castro 0.
Quarterscores: 21-7, 41-24, 58-36, 75-61