09/04/2026
all for USTšÆ
- Rhiane Perez turns pressure into motivation after MVP, Finals MVP, Elite team honors
For the second straight year, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Growling Tigresses swept the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups in the UAAP Season 88 Girlsā Basketball Finals at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
The Junior Growling Tigresses outlasted the Lady Bullpups in an OT classic in Game 1, in a foul-heavy contest, 96-87. While in Game 2, the ladies from EspaƱa mounted from 11 points down before halftime to complete the mission to claim back-to-back Girls' Basketball titles, 76-74.
Rhiane Perez becomes the second straight player to win the Girls' Basketball Season MVP and Finals MVP after fellow Tigress Barby Dajao won both awards in Season 87.
The sophomore standout averaged 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in the Finals.
The 17-year-old star said she wasn't expecting to win the awards, but she was focused on winning the championship.
"I didnāt really expect [to win] those awards because for me, my goal is to get the championship for UST." Perez told Philippine Basketball Updates.
She also credited her coaches and teammates for her success this season.
"And for my coaches and teammates, throughout the season, everything I achieved is for them, and anything I'm doing all [of these] blood, sweat, and tears are for them. Theyāre the reason why I [believe in] myself, so for me anytime I achieve something, it's for them." she said.
Perez also expressed her happiness to her teammates and coaches for what she has achieved this season.
āOf course, I am very happy and proud not only on myself but also on my teammates and coaches who helped me throughout the season on and off the court, and I cannot achieve all of these without them, supporting and helping me improve not just to become a good player, but also to become the best version of myself every day.ā
The 5-foot-5 forward out of Tigbauan, Iloilo averaged 14.17 points, 10.83 rebounds, and 6.5 assists across six games, topping the statistical race with 103.5 statistical points.
Her teammate Koukou Talla finished fourth with 76 statistical points, averaging 14.0 points and 10.33 rebounds. Lea Pinuela averaged 11.17 points, 3.83 rebounds, and 4.48 assists to finish fifth with 74.33 statistical points.
On the other hand, Adin Rosano finished second with 101.167 statistical points; she is followed by her teammate, Aubrey Lapasaran, with 82.667 statistical points.
Perez also mentioned the challenges that she had overcome, such as controlling emotions.
"For me po siguro yung improvement po sa game ko is yung how I see and react po on everything that I am facing, and also how to control my emotions po. [It] really helped me to bring out more of my best performance.ā
She also added that improving mentally actually helped her improve on her game.
āAnd improving mentally is something na, me as [a] young athlete, should really give more attention to because improving mentally would actually help me improve on my game more. Having said that, we faced challenges like [not being] mentally prepared and [getting] pressured that affected my game, but we overcame it because we have [a] coach [who] will do his very best for us to grow and reach our highest potential. He didnāt leave us and didnāt [give] up on us even though we were just kids, and itās hard for us to get over that, and we really needed time to overcome those challenges." Perez added.
As the Ilongga forward enters her final season as a high school player in Season 89, she is focused on stepping up as a leader and turning pressure into motivation.
āAs a senior po, I really want to help my team and make it more simpler and I really need to step up because I just [got] crowned as [the Season MVP] so instead of being pressured because of that, I just make it a motivation to prove myself that I am deserving for that title. It's really tricky because pressure is privilege but itās also on how you deal with that pressure its either itās going to take over you or you're going to take over it.ā she said.
The previous seasonās Rookie of the Year also added her commitment to continuous improvement as she prepares for her final year in high school, vowing to make the most of every opportunity moving forward.
"Every time I have [the] opportunity to prove myself, I just give my all and I am also preparing myself for these [kinds] of battles because next year will be my last playing year as a high school [player] and moving on to college. I know I have so much to improve on pa and Iāll just give my best every time that I have [the] opportunity to improve and learn and I am sure that I am going to continue fighting for UST."
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