The UST Growling Tigresses failed to overcome a 15-point deficit against the NU Lady Bulldogs, 73-78, in their quest for back-to-back titles in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Super rookie Karylle Sierba led the helm for the Tigresses with 20 points and three assists while graduating Tacky Tacatac netted 14 points, shooting 33% from long distance in her final game for UST.

After a 38-all rubber match at the end of halftime, NU buried UST with a 12-0 run to start the third quarter, 38-50.

Sierba earned the first points of the Tigresses to end a scoring drought that lasted for almost four minutes, 43-52.

Bridgette Santos and Princess Fabruada had a heated encounter ,with Santos shoving Fabruada following an elbow in the 2:21 mark.

Santos received an unsportsmanlike foul while assistant coaches from both teams and Fabruada were given a technical foul.

The Lady Bulldogs maintained the double-digit lead in the final quarter, 50-65.

Tacatac and Santos spearheaded a 5-0 start for the Tigresses to cut the lead down by 10 early in the fourth quarter, 55-65.

Tacatac and Sierba fought on with five straight points to bring it within two possessions with under a minute remaining, 70-75.

The Tigresses pushed with their signature trap defense in their last hurrah, however, CJ Maglupay and Sierba committed two costly turnovers with the clock winding down.

NU’s Camille Clarin iced the game with three clutch free throws to complete their redemption season, 73-78.

Cielo Pagdulangan scored a game-high 21 points, three assists, and three steals. While Angelica Surada and Clarin logged in 14 a-piece.

Coach Haydee Ong commended the never-say-die attitude of the Tigresses in their final game.

“I am very, evry proud of my girls. And for this game, nakita niyo naman hanggang sa dulo lumaban kami and unfortunately, we fell short,” she said.

“I think, bottom line, malungkot kami. But again, looking forward for next season, maraming possibilities, maraming opportunities for us again to come back stronger,” she added.