UST upsets NU; Enderun wins in BBI women’s hoops

MANILA, Philippines – It isn’t the UAAP, but for the UST Golden Tigresses, it is still a win against the dominant women’s basketball team in the land today — the NU Lady Bulldogs.

UST held off a late charge by NU to win, 79-71, in the sulit.ph BBI Women’s Under-25 Summer Tournament at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center.

The Golden Tigresses overhauled a 33-29 half time deficit for a six-point 52-46 lead after three frames played behind Ana Mae Tacatac’s 13-point spree that included three triples. 

Yet a six-point lead isn’t safe with NU’s deep lineup as they retook the lead, 57-56, after Monique Del Carmen’s jump shot at the 6:19 mark. Lady Bulldog Kaye Pingol drilled a triple in NU’s next possession for a 60-56 lead. Del Carmen added two more free throws as NU threatened to pull away with UST firing blanks and turning the ball over.

But Tacatac went back to work as she nailed a trey and a jumper while teammate Callangan knocked down a three of her own to notch the count at 64-all. 

Both sides continued to trade baskets and the lead until the last two minutes where UST, nursing a slim 72-71 win, put the defensive clamps on NU which didn’t score the rest of the way. The Golden Tigresses on the other hand, scored seven points in that span, to put the game away.

The tandem of Grace Irebu and Tacatac were too much for NU to handle. Irebu tallied 25 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal while Tacatac also managed a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

UST also pounded NU inside for a 40-28 advantage in points inside the lane.

NU’s duo of Del Carmen and Pingol combined for 26 points.

In other Women’s U25 matches, Enderun College used a 23-point first period as a springboard for a 58-47 win over Centro Escolar University.

Enderun’s Karen Baylosis and Larisao Sai also tallied a double-double. The former tabulated 15 points and 12 rebounds while the latter chalked up 13 points and 10 boards.