The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons used a huge second half storm before surviving down the stretch against Adamson University to break into the win column of the UAAP Season 78 women’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Lady Maroons came through with big blows in the second half en route to a 46-39 victory, ending its 25-game losing streak dating back to Season 76.
Using its relentless defense, UP outscored Adamson 18-4 in the decisive third quarter to turn a 19-20 halftime deficit into a commanding 37-24 cushion.
Tin Aliermo first scored 6 points in a 10-0 run which made it 29-20 for the Lady Maroons, before Pat Pesquera added jumpers to make it 37-24.
Bea Daez, who returned after a one-game absence, pushed the lead to 39-24 in the fourth period with a fastbreak layup before Adamson went on a run of their own.
Jaime Alcoy and Jonalyn Lacson helped the resilient Lady Falcons score 15 unanswered points which cut the deficit down to 39-42 under the final two minutes after a Princess Cochico floater.
Aliermo missed in the next possession but Jan De Castro’s errant pass on the other end turned the ball over.
UP was not able to convert and almost paid for it after a breakaway by Lacson although she travelled in the fastbreak opportunity.
The costly turnover paved the way for a dagger of a triple from Daez with only 16.4 seconds left to make it 45-39.
Misses by Alcoy and Marie Osano doomed Adamson’s comeback hopes while a split by Daez sealed the win for the Lady Maroons.
The Lady Falcons shot a miserable 23 percent from the field and dropped to 3-5 in the team standings.
Daez topscored with 13 points and added 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Janeena Tatel had 9 points and 8 rebounds while Aliermo finished with 13 boards, inflicting energy to the Diliman camp.
Lacson and Alcoy each chipped in 10 ppints for Adamson but De Castro was held down to only 6 points on 3-for-18 shooting.
Scores:
UP (46) – Daez 13, Tatel 9, Oliva 8, Aliermo 6, Pesquera 6, Isip 4, Rodas 0, Medina 0, Esplana 0, Ordoveza 0, Lapid 0, Franco 0.
AdU (39) – Alcoy 10, Lacson 10, Cochico 9, De Castro 6, Osano 2, Ido 2, Generoso 0, Araja 0, Tabanao 0, Tacitac 0, Diaz 0, Camacho 0, Ramillano 0, Aciro 0, Pingol 0.
Quarterscores: 9-9, 19-20, 37-24, 46-39.
