Favour Onoh and Louna Ozar lead UP Combating Maroons to Closing 4 win over twice-to-beat UST. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines — College of the Philippines leaned on star rookie Louna Ozar and Favour Onoh to beat the twice-to-beat College of Santo Tomas in additional time, 88-80, and pressure a rubber match within the UAAP Season 86 girls’s basketball event on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Enviornment.
Ozar stored the Combating Maroons afloat in additional time, scoring six factors to present them a nine-point lead, 85-76, with 1:54 remaining. The Growling Tigresses reduce it down to 5 85-80 after Kent Pastrana’s triple and Brigette Santos’ cut up free throws, earlier than Kaye Pesquera nailed the dagger trey on the 30.9-second mark to purge the twice-to-beat fringe of UST.
Filipino-French guard Ozar completed with 25 factors on 10-of-15 capturing to go together with three assists, three rebounds, and two steals as UP compelled a do-or-die conflict set for Saturday at Good Araneta Coliseum. The winner faces defending champion Nationwide College Woman Bulldogs in a best-of-three Finals sequence subsequent week.
“It’s all in regards to the assist of the staff. Everyone cheer one another and this power [boosts us],” stated Filipino-French rookie Ozar.
UP Combating Maroons’ Louna Ozar. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
Onoh, who celebrated her 18th birthday, delivered 14 factors and tallied a league-record 30 rebounds as UP received its first Closing 4 sport since 2008 when the college final reached the Finals in opposition to the identical staff with a twice-to-beat benefit.
“In the present day is my birthday, and I dedicate this sport to them as a result of it’s a special occasion at present. I’m very a lot excited that we received this sport and in addition, we must always not quit the momentum to face our subsequent sport,” stated an emotional Onoh, who additionally had 4 assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Pesquera had 5 three-pointers to complete with 19 factors on prime of six rebounds and three steals, whereas Rhea Sanchez had 12 factors.
UP wanted to beat a 45-25 deficit within the second quarter, unleashing a 21-0 run capped by Onoh’s financial institution shot to take the lead, 46-45, with seven minutes to play within the third.
The Combating Maroons coach Paul Ramos reminded his staff that the job shouldn’t be but finished, eyeing to succeed in the Finals for the primary time in 15 years.
“We’re gonna rejoice this at present and [go] again to work tomorrow as a result of all of it won’t make sense if on Saturday we don’t present up. I’m simply pleased with what now we have achieved up to now. We’re taking one sport at a time, I’m actually pleased with all the ladies together with the birthday woman and Louna,” stated Ramos.
Pastrana’s 29-point explosion for UST went for naught together with her 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals as they did not advance to the Finals of their first Closing 4 sport. Cheesy Tacatac had 12 factors and 5 assists, whereas Santos and Nikki Villasin added 9 factors every.
UP coach Paul Ramos, Louna Ozar, and Favour Onoh on forcing a rubber match in opposition to UST within the #UAAPSeason86 girls’s basketball Closing 4.
Posted by Inquirer Sports activities on Tuesday, November 21, 2023
The Scores:
UP (88) – Ozar 25, Pesquera 19, Onoh 14, Sanchez 12, Domingo 9, Tapawan 6, Maw 2, Bariquit 1, Lozada 0, Vingno 0.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
UST (80) – Pastrana 29, Tacatac 12, Santos 9, Villasin 9, Ferrer 7, Maglupay 4, Danganan 3, Dionisio 3, Soriano 2, Ambos 2, Bron 0, Ly 0, Serrano 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 38-45, 59-54, 72-72, 88-80