The University of Santo Tomas Junior Growling Tigresses take a step closer to a UAAP title after outclassing the National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups, 85-57, in Game 1 of their finals match in the UAAP Season 87 high school girls’ basketball tournament on Thursday, March 13, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Assistant coach Allana Lim stepped up for the Junior Growling Tigresses due to head coach Sen Dysangco’s one-game suspension for violating the league’s cooling-off period policy.

Barby Dajao led the charge for UST, tallying 25 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while Rhiane Perez registered 16 points and 12 rebounds in the winning effort.

Lea Pinuela, Sandra Abrantes, and Katrina Insoy also balled out for the España-based squad, logging in 14, 14, and 12 markers, respectively in the winning effort.

The Junior Growling Tigresses sparked a 10-3 blitz late in the opening quarter through the offensive prowess of Pinuela, Dajao, Perez, and Abrantes, securing a seven-point lead, 19-12.

UST maximized their momentum to end the first quarter with an eight-point margin, 27-19.

Lady Bullpups Marielle Avila and Ashley Trinidad pumped in eight consecutive markers to simmer UST’s lead to two, 29-27, but the Junior Tigresses held out through the hands of Perez, Dajao, Insoy, Abrantes, and Pinuelawho bolstered their lead back to 10, 40-30.

The Junior Growling Tigresses seized an eight-point edge at halftime, 44-36.

NUNS’ Aubrey Lapasaran completed a four-point play to cut the lead to four three minutes into the third period, 47-43.

UST continued to hunt down the struggling Lady Bullpups as they embarked on a 15-6 run to impose a double-digit lead coming into the final canto, 62-49.

The Junior Growling Tigresses carried much more momentum coming into the fourth salvo as their stable firepower and imposing presence on defense triggered an 11-0 rally that widened their lead to 28, 77-49.

The Tigresses maintained their 28-point lead on the Lady Bullpups until the final buzzer, 85-57.

Defense proved invaluable in UST’s win, as they collected 21 steals and forced 33 turnovers for NUNS, neutralizing their offensive arsenal to only 21 points in the whole second half.

“Unang-una, we’re so proud of these girls. Itong panalo na ito para kay coach Sen. Deserve nila itong panalo na ito. It’s a collective effort, hindi lang sa mga players, hanggang sa management at support ng college team and coaches,” Lim said.

“Yung sinabi nga ni coach Sen namin, naprepare na namin kayo sa magiging laban natin so huwag niyo isipin na wala ako sa game,” she added.

Avila paced NUNS in their loss with 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Lapasaran contributed 13 points and seven rebounds, five steals, and three assists.

The Junior Growling Tigresses will aim to finish the season with a pristine record and clinch the trophy on Thursday, March 20, at the same venue.