THE DEFENDING Sport champions UST Growling Tigresses thwarted the NU Lady Bulldogs’ bid for a UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament sweep, securing a 76-68 victory in Game Two of the Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday (11 Dec 2024).

The win forced a deciding Game Three for both teams.

UST came out strong, dominating early with a 24-9 first-quarter lead, and maintained their composure, hitting key shots in the final moments to hand NU their first loss of the season.

Brigette Santos, Karyle Sierba, and Kent Pastrana stepped up when it mattered most. Sierba sealed the win with two free throws in the final 13.1 seconds. Santos led the charge for the Growling Tigresses with a career-high 27 points and four assists.