University of Santo Tomas held off seven-time defending champion National University and hacked out a 76-72 win in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The Growling Tigresses moved on cusp of their first title since 2006 and ended the Lady Bulldogs’ 20-game winning streak. 

The last time UST won against NU was back in the second round of their Season 75 encounter which ended in a 74-73 escape overtime victory for the Growling Tigresses. 

NU’s last taste of defeat in the finals also goes all the way back to 2013 when it succumbed to the De La Salle Lady Archers in Game 3 of their championship battle. 

Kent Pastrana delivered 11 points all in the second quarter to finish with 15 points, while Tacky Tacatac tallied 14 markers. 

Graduating Tantoy Ferrer, who returned for her final year with UST after recovering from an ACL injury, delivered an all-around double-double performance of 13 points, 14 rebounds to go with five assists. 

Brigette Santos also stepped up for the Growling Tigresses with 12 points, five rebounds and seven crucial steals. 

Nikki Villasin finished in double figures with 10 markers to round out UST’s balanced effort. 

UST was on the driver’s seat for most of the game before NU briefly fought their way back and snatched the lead in the third quarter on Camille Clarin’s triple, 50-51. 

Despite some resistance from the Lady Bulldogs side, the Growling Tigresses showed great resolve and poise in the endgame en route to the hard-earned win. 

“So happy that finally meron kaming panalo against NU which is most important because this is the championship series. Thank you to the girls they worked really hard,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong. 

Clarin paced the eight-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs with an all-around display of 18 points, five rebounds and six assists. 

Karl Pingol added a double-double outing of 11 points and 10 rebounds which went for naught.