Defending champion UST Growling Tigresses forge a UAAP women's basketball Finals rematch against the NU Lady Bulldogs in Season 87.
(UPDATED - December 4)
Champs set the date
Having the luxury of waiting, defending champion UST made full use of its higher place in the UAAP women's basketball step-ladder semis, eliminating the Adamson Lady Falcons Wednesday, 71-59.
With the victory, the Growling Tigresses forged a UAAP Finals rematch against the NU Lady Bulldogs, whom they defeated in last year's championship round.
However, NU holds a bit of edge this season, as the Lady Bulldogs swept UST in the eliminations on the way to a perfect 14-0 record, granting them an automatic Finals slot.
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High-octane action continues in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament as the stepladder semifinals resumes on Wednesday, December 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Reigning and defending champions UST Growling Tigresses are set to take the next step in their title retention bid, as they face off against the Adamson Lady Falcons in a knockout match for the right to face the waiting NU Lady Bulldogs in the Finals.
Let’s take a look at how the stepladder semifinals has unfolded so far, and what more can we expect.
The Big E trumps MVP
After hurdling soon-to-be MVP Kacey Dela Rosa and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their first do-or-die match in the semis, Adamson, led by tactician Ryan Monteclaro, continues to lean on their hard-nosed effort in facing opponents bigger and better than themselves.
“The Big E is bigger than any big man, big woman, or any center inside that court. Big E stands for effort. Kasi yung effort, it goes down to a lot of things eh.” Monteclaro said.
“It’s not about who you are facing. There’s no height with effort. Wala ring weight sa effort. It’s all about pure work.” he added.
Monteclaro’s Lady Falcons beat the Blue Eagles, 59-53, in the knockout match last weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in overtime, after Cheska Apag’s late-game heroics in regulation forced the extra period.
[RELATED: Cheska Apag repays Adamson trust with clutch make in UAAP semis win: 'God will provide’]
There, the Lady Falcons jumped on the Blue Eagles to take the win comfortably and keep their season alive.
Defending champions up next
December 4, 2024 (Wednesday) - Mall of Asia Arena
UST vs Adamson - 3:00 p.m.
Though riding on a high from their win against Ateneo, the job isn’t done for the Adamson Lady Falcons as they now face their biggest challenge of the season so far in the UST Growling Tigresses.
A rejuvenated UST squad will look to play inspired basketball as they aim to retain the crown in España. But they will surely face a challenge after their first round encounter with Adamson going down to the wire.
With a redemption-seeking Lady Bulldogs waiting on their foes, both UST and Adamson will be adamant to have a crack at the powerhouse team in the best-of-three semifinals.
The women’s tournament is aiming to catch up to the men’s schedule with both finals slated to start on Sunday, December 8, at the Big Dome.
Finals schedule
- Game 1 - December 8, 2024 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
- Game 2 - December 11, 2024 | Mall of Asia Arena
- Game 3 (if necessary) - December 15, 2024 | Smart Araneta Coliseum