The UST Growling Tigresses collected their second loss of the season at the hands of the undefeated NU Lady Bulldogs, 70-76, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Tacky Tacatac rained five threes on the Bulldogs producing 21 points, three assists and two steals while Kent Pastrana made 14 buckets, six rebounds, and five dimes.

The Tigresses came into the match pouncing with a 7-0 run to set the pace but were neutralized by an NU counter attack to trail, 19-23.

The 2nd quarter saw a composed UST slowly get back into the groove after Nicole Danganan drew a three-point foul which was converted to a seven-point run from Pastrana and Brigette Santos’ long bombs.

UST brought the lead down to one through another three from Santos, 38-39 before the Bulldogs took advantage of late free throws to enter halftime still up by four, 40-44.

Pastrana opened up the second half with a shot from beyond the arc while a Tacatac layup tiedthe game, 51-51, the two Sampaloc teams exchanged blows for the lead before NU ultimately ended the third on top, 59-61.

The Tigresses struggled to keep the momentum after losing Pastrana to a cramped leg late in the quarter conceding 15 team points in the fourth to give NU their 11th win of the season, 70-76.

UST took a hard hit in the paint only scoring 28 points compared to NU’s 36, but had a better bench performance dropping 35 points against the Bulldog’s 30.

Lady Bulldog Camille Clarin commanded the game with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four assists while Cielo Pagdulagan provided enough firepower with 17 points, 6 boards, and two rebounds to remain undefeated in the season.

With the loss, the Tigresses still place second in the standings and will continue with their quest for the coveted twice-to-beat advantage against the UE Lady Red Warriors on Nov. 9, at the Araneta Coliseum.