A long-standing dynasty has fallen, and a new one has risen.

Turning back a 15-point lead in the second half, the UST Growling Tigresses captured the UAAP Season 86 women's basketball championship, 71-69, ending what was a seven-year reign by the NU Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tigresses used a 24-8 fourth-quarter run, erasing the double-digit lead NU built throughout the second and third quarters en route to the title.

Kent Pastrana tied the game at 69 with under a minute to go before Nikki Villasin broke away with a layup after a defensive stop, clinching the lead for good.

This is UST's first UAAP basketball championship since Season 69, ending the University's 17-year title drought across all divisions.

The Tigresses has also become the winningest women's basketball program in the UAAP with 12 titles.

“I’m really lost for words. I’m happy for the girls. Sila ang gumawa nito. We’re down big but sabi ko lang sakanila, don’t give up. Stick together. Unti-untiin natin,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong after the win

Playing her final collegiate game, Tantoy Ferrer led the Tigresses with 19 points and 14 rebounds to be named the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Pastrana added 16 markers on 5-for-11 shooting, while Villasin had 12 points, but none bigger than their final two baskets in the match.

“NU gave us a lot of changes para makahabol kami. We made good stops in the last 1 minute. That spelled the difference. ‘Yung puso ng players ko. Hindi sila bumigay," Ong added.

After a 19-all stalemate in the first quarter, the Lady Bulldogs enjoyed a 14-2 free-throw disparity in the second frame alone, opening a 12-point NU lead at halftime.

The Tigresses bled for points in the third frame until Pastrana opened the final period with five straight points, shifting the momentum towards UST for the rest of the way.

Ferrer then sparked nine straight points cutting the deficit to two with a little over three minutes left in the game.

UST first had their chance to tie it up through a Brigette Santos layup with 40 seconds remaining, but the tough drive did not fall.

After a stop on the other end, Pastrana nailed a tear-drop off isolation play to close the gap before Villasin snatched the lead with a breakaway layup with six ticks left in the game.

Kristine Cayabyab top scored for the Lady Bulldogs with 18 points, while Princess Fabruada and Karl Pingol had 13 and 11 markers, respectively, in a losing effort.

NU has been reigning over the UAAP women's basketball since 2014 – a run that included a 108-game winning streak.

The Lady Bulldogs ended the elimination round with a league-leading 13-1 record, followed by UST's 11-3 card.