Players follow their coaches’ game plan to the T as the defending champions force a winner-take-all Game Three against NU.
The UST Growling Tigresses effectively followed their coaches’ game plan as they eked out a convincing 78-68 victory over the NU Lady Bulldogs in Game Two of the UAAP Season 87 Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
After squandering a double-digit lead in a heartbreaking loss in Game One, UST adjusted accordingly to survive a similar situation in Game Two.
UST hit the ground running on Wednesday, as they zoomed to a 15-point lead, 24-9. But just like last weekend, the Lady Bulldogs stormed back to tie the game and seize their first advantage of the ball game in the third quarter, 41-39, after Pring Fabruada's free throws.
In the seesaw affair, UST leaned on a surprise 27-point explosion from Brigette Santos, and a timely fourth quarter scoring run from rookie Karylle Sierba to flip the script from their finals opener and deny the Lady Bulldogs a season sweep.
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Following their victory, Santos spoke about how the players simply responded to how their coaches wanted them to come out against the redemption seeking Lady Bulldogs.
“Unang una po sa lahat, gusto ko lang po magpasalamat sa teammates ko, especially sa mga coaches namin. 'Di sila nagsawang gabayan kami, tulungan kami sa araw-araw na pagsasama namin sa training,” said an emotional Santos.
“Alam namin na binigay nila 'yung best nila so sa amin na 'yung gawa eh. Kami nalang 'yung gagawa nun para magawa namin ng maayos, para manalo kami,” she added.
Though usually in the shadow of the likes of Kent Pastrana, and Tacky Tacatac, Santos emerged as the go-to hero for the España squad with their backs against the wall.
The surprise career game, Santos said, was the product of UST head coach Haydee Ong pushing her to her limit. Despite struggling to believe in herself, Santos helped herself by subscribing to Ong’s belief.
“Dinedicate ko lang po talaga 'yung paglalaro ko lalo na ngayon — championship — kay Coach Haydee kasi siya po talaga 'yung naniwala talaga sakin na kaya ko, kaya kong gawin,” she said.
“Basta magtulungan lang kami, maniwala lang kami sa sarili namin, and yun. Ginawa naman po namin sa training lahat and thankfully, lumabas naman po.”
Santos was an efficient 11-of-21 from the field in her career game. She also had four assists, two rebounds, and two steals. She also hit back-to-back baskets in the fourth quarter to push UST’s lead to eight, 70-62, with 3:08 remaining.
Her scoring barrage was coupled by a big game from Sierba who finished with 18 points — 15 of which came in the pivotal fourth quarter. The first-year player also didn’t miss from the field in the fourth period.
Overall, UST outscored NU, 30-19, in the final quarter.
Freshly crowned Rookie of the Year Cielo Pagdulagan top scored for NU in the losing effort with 16 points. Skipper Camille Clarin was the second leading scorer for the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.