After missing out on last season’s Final Four, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws inched closer to a return to the post-season with a 66-60 victory against the Adamson University Lady Falcons.
The two schools were separated by just a game before tipoff, and the result allowed the Lady Tamaraws some needed breathing room in fourth place.
Mabel Balleser led the Lady Tamaraws with 17 points, followed by Valerie Mamaril and Joannah Ouano with 14 and 11 points respectively today at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Blue Eagle Gym.
“Sabi ko sa kanila keep on attacking,” shared FEU coach Bert Flores, “Kasi dati nung kalaban namin sila nung first round, halos tentative kami. Dapat kung makapasok tayo sa Final Four, ito yung susi natin.”
Flores’ wards enjoyed a good start of the game as a Fatima Quiapo handed the Lady Tamaraws a 37-24 cushion near the end of the second quarter.
That cushion then ballooned in the third period, when Mamaril capped off a 15-5 run with four unanswered points to give FEU their biggest lead of the ballgame at 57-35 just before the final frame.
It was in the fourth quarter, though, that Adamson soared back to life. The Lady Falcons went on a 16-1 run sealed by two threes from Jamie Alcoy and Kat Araja, to trim the deficit to 51-58 with more than half of the quarter remaining.
A Jonalyn Lacson basket then made things interesting, cutting the Lady Tamaraws’ lead further to 58-64 at the 1:43 mark of the final frame. Unfortunately for the Lady Falcons, Alcoy’s potential three bounced off the rim in the next play and the Lady Tamaraws took charge.
Balleser was fouled by the Lady Falcons with 30.9 seconds left in the clock, and she sunk in freebie to make it 65-58. Nathalia Prado then converted two charities afterwards, but it was too little too late.
In the end, FEU held off Adamson for a 65-58 victory that moves the Lady Tamaraws closer to the post-season.
“Magandang baon eh. Start of second round NU kalaban namin eh, maganda naman (yung laro), na-control namin yung mga bigs. Sabi ko sa kanila na tayo rin makapantay sa mga bigs na ganyan. Binigyan kami ng confidence sa NU. Maganda naman yung laro sa UP. Sustain natin,” added Flores.
The Morayta-based squad used their height advantage well as, they had 36 inside points compared to Adamson’s 24. The Lady Tamaraws also shot 35.71 percent from downtown versus the Lady Falcons’ 28 percent.
Alcoy had 16 markers, while Prado scored 12 points and 21 rebounds today for Adamson.
FEU (5-5) shall look to carry their momentum against the University of the East on October 28, 8:00 AM, while Adamson (4-7) will hope to bounce back versus the De La Salle University on October 29, 10:00 AM . Both games shall be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Scores:
FEU (66) – Balleser 17, Mamaril 14, Ouano 11, Arellado 7, Quiapo 6, Gerner 6, Taguiam 3, Bastatas 2, Okunlola 0, Jumuad 0, Bahuyan 0, Antiola 0, De Guzman 0.
AdU (60) – Alcoy 16, Prado 12, Razalo 7, Araja 6, Cabug 6, Lacson 5, Camacho 4, Rosario 3, Villanueva 1, Tacitac 0, Aciro 0, Cacho 0.
Quarterscores: 23-13, 42-30, 57-35, 66-60.
