UST eyes repeat over NU in women's basketball finals rematch

University of Santo Tomas is wary, but not necessarily intimidated, by National University’s perfect run so far as they battle each other in a best-of-three finals rematch which will start on Sunday for the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball crown. 

The Growling Tigresses had rewritten history by crowning themselves as the women’s hoops champion last season after snapping the Lady Bulldogs’ dynastic run that halted their conquest of an eighth straight title. 

Not surprisingly, though, NU has managed to quickly bounce back from last year’s heartbreak following a 14-game elimination round sweep that afforded them the first finals ticket this season. 

With this in mind, UST head coach Haydee Ong and presumptive Mythical Five awardee Kent Pastrana understand that it will take more than last season’s effort to accomplish the same feat with NU clearly being an undisputed force. 

“Sabi ko nga last season, seven-peat na sila. Kami isa pa lang. For us, we’re the underdogs. Parati sila ‘yung liyamado at kami ‘yung dehado. Kailangan talaga namin magtrabaho. I don’t see na kailangan namin sila habulin. Kailangan lang namin magtrabaho para matalo namin sila,” said Ong after UST's 71-59 drubbing of Adamson University in the stepladder semifinal to book the finals return trip on Wednesday.

“We have to work harder together. ‘Yung mga dapat ayusin in this game sa laro namin doon kami mag-concentrate, ‘yung turnovers namin [we have to manage]. ‘Yung Adamson halos parehas kami ng sistema, run and gun. Sa NU dehado kami sa height, we have to work harder talaga sa loob,” she added. 

UST’s golden moment came in Season 86 after a 17-year drought and contending for the title thrice in the last four seasons, and the España crew is obviously looking to extend its position at the top. 

“Sila nga di ba for them it’s redemption season. Sa amin naman, we want it to be a repeat for us this season, to have back-to-back titles,” Ong said. 

Interestingly, the Growling Tigresses also came into their title showdown against the Lady Bulldogs having tasted two defeats in the eliminations before drawing first blood in the Game 1 on their way to the championship.

With NU coming off well-rested heading into their finals duel after a 15-day break from intense competition, Ong insisted that everything that transpired before the finals tip-off will play no part in Sunday's clash. 

“Pag championship talaga the X’s and O’s hindi na talaga nagma-matter. Kabisado na ‘yung laro nila ng NU, sila rin kabisado na namin. ‘Yung puso talaga who wanted it more it’s very important to get the Game 1 for us on Sunday,” Ong concluded.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News