Kent Pastrana unleashes 23 points for UST vs Adamson
Defending champion University of Santo Tomas excelled over the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 71-59, in the knockout step-ladder semifinal of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, December 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Growling Tigresses renewed its rematch against the unbeaten National University Lady Bulldogs for the second straight year.
Kent Pastrana paced the victory for the black-and-gold highlighted by a double-double exhibition of 23 points and 16 rebounds to go along with eight assists, two steals, and one block.
"Because we relaxed in the second quarter. We decided not to give confidence to the opponent because, of course, Adamson will fight to the end and they will not let their team lose," said Pastrana, who will be part of the mythical team for the third time.
"We came back in the second half, we regrouped what we needed to adjust and our mistakes. We started with defense,” she added.
As the Growling Tigresses lost steam after a scorching 21-4 start, the Lady Falcons gained momentum before the end of the first quarter, which resulted in a 37-35 lead at the half.
Midway through the third quarter, behind 39-43, Pastrana started to blaze through for the UST, putting up six points in a row to spark a 17-3 run that culminated with a short stab from CJ Maglupay for a 56-46 lead in the closing seconds of the quarter.
Adamson trimmed the deficit down to six after Kat Agojo sank a basket underneath, 60-54. With 3:45 remaining, however, Tacky Tacatac made a key corner triple to help UST hold off its opponent, 67-65.
With 1:41 remaining, Pastrana found Nicole Danganan free underneath on two straight possessions to seal the victory with a 71-57 edge.
CJ Maglupay’s performance was also pivotal for the Tigresses, finishing with a double-double of 13 markers and 11 boards along with six deflections.
Tacatac and Bridgette Santos delivered 10 points apiece, with the latter adding a game-high seven steals.
“Credit also to Adamson, coach Ryan and the girls, they really gave us a hard time. Salute to them. It's all total team effort and at the end of the day our defense dictated in the second half against Adamson,” said UST coach Haydee Ong.
The Scores:
UST 71 – Pastrana 23, Maglupay 13, Santos 10, Tacatac 10, Ambos 7, Danganan 4, Sierba 4, Soriano 0, Bron 0, Amatong 0, Pescador 0, Relliquette 0.
Adamson 59 – Etang 12, Adeshina 12, A. Alaba 9, Apag 7, Agojo 6, Bajo 4, Limbago 4, Padilla 3, Manlimos 2, Meniano 0, Ornopia 0, E. Alaba 0, Mazo 0.
Quarter Scores: 21-12, 35-37, 56-48, 71-59
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).