Resilient FEU Lady Tams defeat UP, overcome Daez’ 25

Teamwork beats talent. Five Lady Tamaraws scored 8 or more points, as Far Eastern University pulled away, 59-54, from 25-point scorer Bea Daez and her luckless University of the Philippines Lady Maroons. Claire Castro led the way for the Tams with a huge 12 point 14 rebound double-double, while UP ace Bea Daez tossed in 25 points and 12 boards of her own in yet another losing effort. The 5-5 Tamaraws remain in the playoff hunt with fellow contenders ADMU, ADU, and UST, while the cellar-dwelling Maroons remain winless after 10 games.

Bea Daez’s 17 points in 3 quarters of play was enough to keep the Lady Maroons afloat, as they entered the decisive period deadlocked, 41-41, with the fancied FEU squad. UP’s star gunner poured in 8 more points in the final stanza, but it wasn’t enough to offset the Tamaraws’ well-oiled offensive machine from taking over. The Tamaraw’s stellar 18 point quarter was powered, unsurprisingly, by a balanced attack, highlighted by starter April Siat’s 5 points. In the end, Daez’ 25 points was unable to topple FEU’s overwhelming variety of scoring options.

April Siat and reserve Jaimee Marie Chan breached the double-digit mark for the Lady Tamaraws, scoring 10 points apiece. FEU’s Ana Valenzona and Angelica Gabriel also had solid games, posting 9 and 8 points respectively. The FEU coaching staff will be pleased as well with the teams 83% mark from the charity stripe, which was vital in an unexpectedly tight contest. Aside from Daez’ exceptional production, the UP duo of Janeena Tatel and Jeanine Bautista combined for 15 points. However, the UP team’s hopes were sank by their season-long shooting woes, struggling on the way to 31% from the field.