University of Santo Tomas finally reclaimed its glory after a 17-year wait, stunning the seven-time champion National University with a 71-69 win in Game 3 of the UAAP women's basketball finals on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Taking down an empire that ruled over the women’s play in the past seven seasons, UST was composed even in the face of a huge deficit. 

Having last tasted the glory in 2006, UST overcame a 14-point deficit against a feisty NU side in the closing period.

Graduating Tantoy Ferrer, who returned to España after a one-season absence due to an ACL injury, delivered a superb double-double performance — scoring 19 points and grabbing 14 rebounds on her way out. 

With her brilliant championship form, Ferrer was hailed Finals MVP after averaging 15.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals in the series. 

Meanwhile, senior Nikki Villasin, who registered the game-winning layup in the endgame, finished with 12 markers. 

Kent Pastrana chipped in 16 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting from the inside.

Pastrana opened the scoring in the fourth period with a huge and-1 play before Tacky Tacatac eventually trimmed down the deficit to a single digit on a jumper, 63-54. 

NU, though, refused to be clamped down and continued to lead on a 67-58 gap following Stefanie Berberabe’s layup with 4:19 left to determine the champion. 

However, the Lady Bulldogs’ castle slowly crumbled down as the Growling Tigresses rode on a telling 10-2 counterattack capped by Ferrer’s triple at the 2:20 mark, 69-67.

Brigette Santos then missed the game-tying attempt in the sequence that ensued, but with 26.2 seconds to go, Pastrana found a way inside to finally knot the match at 69-all. 

Finally, Villasin drove through the crowd for the fast break layup, but it wasn’t just like any of her previous attempts, it was the shot that sealed UST’s first title in nearly two decades and ended NU’s reign for good this year. 

“I’m really lost for words. I’m so happy for the girls. Sila ang may gawa nito. We were down big by 15 points. Sabi ko sa kanila ‘don’t give up, stick together’. Unti-untiin natin until fourth quarter. What spelled the difference is ‘yung puso ng mga players ko dahil hindi bumigay,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong. 

Season 85 Finals MVP Kristine Cayabyab paced the Lady Bulldogs with 18 poinyts, while Princess Fabruada added 13 markers of her own. 

Karl Pingol had 11 points in the losing effort.