The UST Growling Tigresses (7-3) kneeled to the top-seeded NU Lady Bulldogs (9-1) in a down-the-wire overtime, 75-76, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Nov. 4, at the MOA Arena.

Kent Pastrana, who came alive in the fourth and drilled the clutch shot, led the Tigresses once again with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Tacky Tacatac provided 12 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists.

The Tigresses struggled on offense during the first quarter, producing only 27 percent of shooting due to the Lady Bulldogs' pesky defense, which allowed them a 13-point lead to UST’s zero points early in the quarter.

Brigette Santos later upended NU’s run, opening the scoring at the four-minute mark after executing an 8-0 scoring run of their own and eventually closing the quarter at 19-12.

UST was able to follow through in points, knocking their perimeter shots and scoring with much more physicality by attacking the rim more in the second quarter.

The Growling Tigresses were able to inch closer, improving their shooting by 38 percent to the Bulldogs’ 35 percent despite NU starting with a hotter offensive edge trading basket with UST.

Upon halftime, UST narrowed NU’s lead 34-39. However, NU let the dogs out in the third quarter. Lady Bulldogs Karl Pingol and Camille Clarin shot flawlessly from long-range, executing a 10-0 scoring run for NU.

The Tigresses gave up several turnover points to the Lady Bulldogs, enabling NU to build a 17-point lead in the early minutes of the following quarter.

However, the Tigresses showed a different beast in the remaining minutes of the fourth quarter. Eka Soriano and Tacky Tacatac energized the Tigresses’ offense, distributing the ball efficiently and executing crucial defensive stops, tying the game in the final minute.

In the dwindling seconds of the fourth quarter, Kent Pastrana drills a three-pointer, but NU’s Kristine Cayabyab replied with a buzzer-beater three, taking the game into overtime.

UST mostly held on to a tight lead courtesy of Tantoy Ferrer, the only player to score in overtime.

Lady Bulldogs Karl Pingol led the rally for NU, scoring 21 points on 64 percent shooting, but it was Bulldogs’ Gypsy Canuto’s perimeter shot, her lone point of the game, that put the final nail in the coffin, 75-76.

Tigresses Soriano and Ferrer both contributed 11 markers. The latter posted seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, while the former aided the Tigresses with five assists, respectively.

The UST Golden Tigresses are set to face the UE Lady Warriors on Nov. 8 at the same venue.