UST's Karylle Sierba celebrates against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament, November 15, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP Media
MANILA -- University of Santo Tomas weathered the absence of head coach Haydee Ong to defeat the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 92-79, and claim a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4 of the UAAP Season 88 women's basketball tournament on Saturday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Ong is serving a one-game suspension after accumulating two technical fouls, with lead assistant Sen Dysangco stepping in for the champion coach.
The Growling Tigers barely missed a beat in Ong's absence, with Karylle Sierba, Agatha Bron, and Brigette Santos leading the way as they extended their perfect record to 12 games and ensured that they will have a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals.
The win also served as UST's warm-up to their highly-anticipated rematch against National University. The Lady Bulldogs are on a winning run of their own with an 11-game streak and a 12-1 win-loss record.
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"First, Ateneo's always been mahirap to deal with because of Kacey [Dela Rosa] and [Sarah] Makanjoula. We have to dig deep sa defense natin and adjust, especially doon sa second half," said Dysangco, who is the head coach of the school's girls' basketball team.
"Maybe and I felt that we were too eager doon sa depensa natin kaya kami naaatake. But fortunately, we were able to adjust sa second half, become more patient doon sa defense, and we were able to take advantage and run."
Ateneo stayed within striking distance, trailing by just nine points, 70-61, heading into the final period. But UST started the fourth quarter strong, unleashing a pivotal 12-5 run — highlighted by a Sierba layup and a Rachelle Ambos triple — to create a game-high 16-point, 82-66 lead with 6:19 left on the clock.
The Blue Eagles refused to back down, responding with an 11-3 run to cut the deficit to 85-77 with over four minutes remaining. However, the Growling Tigresses effectively sealed their 12th consecutive win as a Kent Pastrana triple and an Eka Soriano inside basket restored an insurmountable 90-77 cushion with 2:45 left.
Sierba powered UST with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, adding three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Bron scored 12 of her 15 points in the second half, along with two rebounds and two steals, while Santos contributed 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Pastrana was limited to 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting but still contributed nine assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Coi Danganan added nine points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block, while Ambos chipped in seven points, three rebounds, and one steal.
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles remain in solo third place but have dropped to 7-4, with the De La Salle University Lady Archers (4-6), Adamson University Lady Falcons (4-7), and Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (4-7) hot on their heels.
Camille Malagar led Ateneo with 18 points, three assists, and one steal, while reigning MVP Dela Rosa finished with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, adding five assists, three blocks, and one steal.
Kai Oani contributed 14 points and four steals but committed six of the Blue Eagles' 22 turnovers, while Makanjoula finished with eight points and 10 rebounds, along with one steal and one block.
The Scores:
UST (92) - Sierba 21, Santos 15, Bron 15, Pastrana 11, N. Danganan 9, Ambos 7, Soriano 4, Maglupay 4, Onianwa 4, Pineda 2, Pescador 0, E. Danganan 0, Serrano 0.
Ateneo (79) - Malagar 18, Dela Rosa 14, Oani 14, De Luna 9, Makanjuola 8, Villacruz 8, Batongbakal 4, Cancio 2, Lopez 2.
Quarterscores: 22-22, 42-39, 70-61, 92-79.