MANILA – University of Santo Tomas demolished De La Salle-Zobel, 107-47, Sunday to set up a title duel with National University-Nazareth School in the UAAP Season 87 girls’ basketball tournament at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Grachelle Boteros finished with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals to earn her second Player of the Game award as she led the Junior Golden Tigresses to a 5-0 record.

UST and NUNS will face off in a best-of-three series in the league’s demonstration event, which returned after a five-year hiatus.

UST, then mentored by Ford Grajales, and Adamson University were supposed to meet in the Season 82 finals but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the UAAP declared them co-champions.

“We are looking forward, not backward, but this is still part of UST’s culture and history. We will try to give a good showing in the finals," UST coach Sen Dysangco said.

Katina Insoy and Rhiane Perez chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Barby Dajao had nine points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and four steals for the Junior Golden Tigresses.

“We're happy, especially the girls. But what's important now is the mental situation of the girls because we are preparing them for the last four games. It's okay but we still need some work and improvements,” Dysangco said.

UST and NUNS will clash one more time on March 6 before the finals.

Sofia Martinez had 10 points, while Irish Notarte added eight points and 10 rebounds for the Junior Lady Archers, who took their fourth loss in five outings. (PNA)