UST Tigresses end 17-year UAAP women's basketball title drought

The UST Growling Tigresses ended their 17-year UAAP women's basketball championship drought by defeating the NU Lady Bulldogs, who had won the last seven titles, with a 71-69 victory in Game 3.

UST staged a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter, overcoming a 15-point deficit to secure the title at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tantoy Ferrer, playing her final game for UST after recovering from an ACL injury, was named Finals MVP, igniting the comeback in the fourth quarter.

Ferrer averaged 15.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in the series.

Nikki Villasin scored the championship-clinching layup, recalling her thought process: 'I shoot that shot every day at practice so I already knew.'

Kent Pastrana scored the game-tying basket.

Coach Haydee Ong, in tears, said: 'I'm really lost for words. I'm happy for the girls. We're down big but I said to them, don't give up. Stick together.'