What the heart wants, the heart gets.

The University of Santo Tomas Junior Growling Tigresses escaped the National University Nazareth School, 63-57, to clinch the crown and secure a flawless record in the UAAP Season 87 girls’ basketball tournament on Thursday, March 20, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

This victory is UST’s first outright UAAP girls' basketball title, a step up from their shared title with Adamson University in Season 82’s debut tournament.

Season 87 MVP Barby Dajao led the pack with 22 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Sandra Abrantes recorded 14 points and five rebounds.

“Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa teammates ko na nag- step up, lalo na si Sandra. Hindi namin ine- expect na magiging dikit yung laban pero ginawa lang yung best namin para hindi masayang lahat ng pinagtrabahuan namin,” Dajao said.

Rookie of the Year Rhiane Perez, posted 10 rebounds, six steals, four assists, and two blocks despite struggling on offense, with just three points on 0-of-8 shooting.

Jannah Wenceslao and Dajao combined for 14 points in the opening quarter to give UST a slim two-point lead entering the second canto, 23-21.

NUNS unleashed an 8-0 blitz through Aubrey Lapasaran and Zaydhen Rosano to cut UST’s nine-point lead at the start of the second quarter to three, 42-39.

The Lady Bullpups stayed hot to start the third salvo as Lapasaran and Rosano snatched the momentum out of UST’s possession to secure a seven-point lead, 46-53.

Dajao responded with a three-pointer to simmer down the lead to three at the end of the frame, 50-53.

A crucial lay up by Lady Bullpup Maria Sales with 4:32 remaining in the game clock put NUNS up by five, 52-57.

Abrantes provided the spark UST needed after her nine straight points in the clutch gave the España-based squad their dream title, 63-57.

“Sabi nga sa amin ni Coach Sen [Dysangco], be ready when you’re called upon. Ginawa ko lang yung best na makakatulong sa team and sabi nga ni coach sa akin, do whatever it takes para manalo sa game,” Abrantes said.

“Ginawa ko lang yung maambag sa team kasi ang dami naming sacrifices na dito, kaya deserve namin ito,” she added.

Lapasaran paced the Lady Bulldogs with 22 points, eight assists, and four steals, while Rosano registered a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds.