UST's Brigette Santos in action against NU in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball Finals, December 11, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — University of Santo Tomas (UST) avoided elimination and set up an all-or-nothing clash against National University for the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball crown.

The Growling Tigresses forced Game 3 after they averted a meltdown against the Lady Bulldogs through a 78-68 Finals Game 2 victory on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Brigette Santos exploded for 27 points with four assists and two steals, while Karylle Sierba provided spark off the bench with 18 points (4-of-5 3pts), two boards, and a steal.

"Alam naming binibigay ng coaches namin yung best nila. Alam naming nasa amin na yung gawa eh, para maibigay namin yung best at para manalo kami," an emotional Santos shared during the postgame interviews after he tallied her best scoring output in the UAAP.

"Si Coach [Haydee Ong], grabe yung tiwala sa akin, at dun ko nahugot yung lakas ng loob ko makipagsabayan. Ako na lang yung hinihintay nila eh, so ito na yung chance ko na makapag contribute talaga," the third-year guard added of their victory that snapped a 15-game winning streak by NU which dates from the first game of the season. 

Kent Pastrana followed with 11, while Agatha Bron posted eight markers, three boards, an assist, and a steal. 

Much like in Game 1 wherein the España-based team squandered a 14-point lead, the Lady Bulldogs crawled back from a 15-point, 24-9 deficit early in the second canto and got to as close as seven, 32-25, at halftime as they weathered through Santos' 13 first-half points. 

NU used this momentum in the third to finally overtake UST, 41-39, after a pair of foul shots by Princess Fabruada, but Santos and Sierba kept the Tigresses afloat and made it a back-and-forth affair until the mid-fourth quarter.

Sierba then went on to fire a trey in the final canto's 7:36 mark for a 60-57 lead, while a pair of deuces from Santos re-extended UST's lead to eight, 70-62, at the 3:09 mark.

Camille Clarin looked to keep National U's hopes of completing the sweep with a trey two seconds later to get to within two possessions, 70-65, but Sierba and Nicole Danganan hit two straight treys for a 76-65 UST advantage, one that eventually allowed them to seal the game.

Clarin finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Season 87 women's basketball Rookie of the Year Cielo Pagdulagan rose with 16 points, three rebounds, two dimes, and two steals.

Unfortunately, these weren't enough as National U, for the second straight year, will face the hungry Tigresses in another do-or-die clash for the women's hoops crown. 

Game 3 is set on Sunday, December 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

THE SCORES: 

UST 78 — Santos 27, Sierba 18, Pastrana 11, Bron 8, Soriano 6, Danganan 6, Maglupay 2, Tacatac 0, Ambos 0, Serrano 0. 

NU 68 —  Pagdulagan 16, Clarin 12, Pingol 11, Surada 10, Fabruada 5, Villanueva 5, Betanio 4, Konateh 3, Canuto 2, Cayabyab 0, Talas 0. 

Quarterscores: 20-9, 32-25, 48-49, 78-68.