The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses continued their blazing start in the Akari U16 Girls’ Basketball Invitational, dismantling Live Learn Hoops Barangay Q.C. (LLH), 88–28, at the Playtime EcoOil Centre on Tuesday.
With the win, UST remains unbeaten through two games.
Coming off a strong debut win the day before, UST wasted no time asserting their dominance. The Tigresses opened the game on a 25–6 run and never let up, extending their lead every quarter behind a relentless full-court press and smooth offensive execution.
Sofia Petalcorin paced UST with 25 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks. Noelle Arciaga added 19 points and eight assists, while Uriel Capinpin contributed 16 points and nine boards.
UST’s pressure defense proved too much for LLH, forcing 34 turnovers and converting them into 33 points. The Tigresses also controlled the paint with 64 inside points and dominated the boards, 56–34.
LLH, meanwhile, struggled from the field, shooting just 19% (12-of-63). Brianna Banquilay scored 15 points, but no other player managed to break through double digits in scoring
UST’s dominance showed as their lead swelled to 60 in the fourth, holding LLH to just four second-half points in a wire-to-wire rout.
With back-to-back blowout victories, UST looks poised to make a deep run in the tournament as they continue to show depth, chemistry, and intensity on both ends of the floor.
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