MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion University of Santo Tomas remained optimistic despite a heartbreaking loss to National University in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball Finals on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

UST blew a golden opportunity to get a headstart in the best-of-three series after losing a 14-point lead in the third quarter to fall to NU, 72-71, on a layup by Cielo Pagdulagan with 50 seconds remaining.

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“Nothing to be ashamed of. Breaks of the game, yung last play namin was really made for Tacky. It was a good shot. Unfortunately, nag-miss kami. It’s a good miss,” said UST coach Haydee Ong.

READ: UAAP Finals: NU Lady Bulldogs survive UST in Game 1

UST coach Haydee Ong after losing Game 1. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/pYOduqdsIO

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 8, 2024

“The girls did very well and I’m so proud of them. Balik kami uli, Game 2. Hopefully, manalo kami.”

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Tacky Tacatac misfired on a potential game-winning triple from the left corner as the Lady Bulldogs escaped and moved a win away from reclaiming the crown.

The Tigresses, who ended NU’s seven-year reign in an epic Game 3 last year, seek to force a decider on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: UST ousts Adamson, returns to UAAP women’s basketball Finals vs NU

Ong said she will stick to what they did well in this game forcing 31 turnovers with 16 team steals and shooting 27-of-79 — 19 more shooting attempts than NU

“Yung mga miscues namin sa defense namin, yun yung mga tatargetin namin for two more days. Kung ano yung mga kailangan namin gawin. And we’ll be back stronger. That’s the game plan talaga, to take more attempts and hopefully, maka-convert in Game 2,” said Ong, whose team had 16 steals and forced 31 turnovers.

Kent Pastrana finished with a game-high 22 points, six rebounds and three steals to pace UST.