Tiger Cubs, Lady Tigresses book wins in Filoil opener

MANILA, Philippines – The UST Lady Tigresses took the “rubber match” of a budding rivalry with the CEU Lady Scorpions, 73-57, for an opening day win the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena Wednesday.

The two women’s teams played two games in the recently concluded Pilipinas Chinese Amateur Basketball League splitting the series.

“Sabi ko sa team namin na panalunin natin to para hindi nila (CEU) masabi na tsamba yung panalo namin last time,” said senior shooting guard Kristine Siapoc, who drilled in eight of 12 three-point attempts all from 25-feet out.

Siapoc provided the scoring sock that allowed UST to post a comfortable lead in the first period by going five-for-five from three-point range. The Lady Tigresses posted a 25-11 lead at the end of the first period.

CEU mounted a rally that saw them come back from 17-points down, 30-13, to come within three, 35-32, behind the sterling play of shooting guard Apet Pontejos (16 points) and point guard Demi Lou Villanueva (10 points) with 1:06 left to play in the second period.

But the Lady Scorpions momentarily relaxed their press and the man-to-man guarding on Siapoc. UST’s shooting guard hit back-to-back treys to close out the first half for a 41-32 lead.

The Lady Tigresses held off one last charge by CEU before coasting to their first win of the summer tournament.

“Si Tin, eh,” praised UST head coach Chris Cantonjos. “Ayaw magmintis.”

The former Growling Tiger said that he is fielding six new players for the next season and that they hope to use the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup as a springboard for the UAAP.

“Dito na namin susubukan lahat para sa UAAP,” Cantonjos added.

Jhen Angeles backstopped Siapoc with 10 points.

UST made it a twin killing when the Tiger Cubs defeated the UP Junior Maroons, 91-86, in juniors play. Nicole Luna and Vince Ferrer, younger brother of current Growling Tigers’ star Kevin, scored 19 and 13 points, respectively to lead their squad while UP was paced by Enzo Barraquias, who top-scored with 27 points.