MANILA – Defending champion University of Santo Tomas displayed its brilliant form Wednesday, beating Adamson University, 71-59, to reach the final of the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Kent Pastrana, the UAAP Season 86 Athlete of the Year, scored 23 points on top of 16 rebounds and had eight assists, two steals, and one block for the Growling Tigresses, who will face the National University Lady Bulldogs.

UST finished the double-round elimination with a 12-2 slate, while unbeaten NU earned an outright final ticket.

CJ Maglupay contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six steals, while Ana Mae Tacatac and Brigette Santos scored 10 points each for the Growling Tigers, who posted their biggest lead at 21-4 in the first quarter.

Game 1 of the best-of-three finals is scheduled at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

“We have to work harder together. We'll concentrate on what we have to fix in our game," UST head coach Haydee Ong said.

UST's title victory last season prevented NU from securing its eighth consecutive crown.

The Lady Bulldogs are expected to keep their momentum against the Growling Tigers, whom they beat, 75-69 and 76-70, in the preliminaries. (PNA)