The De La Salle University Lady Archers clinched their fourth win in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament as they dispatched the Adamson Lady Falcons, 69-61, Saturday morning at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Camille Claro led La Salle with 14 points and she was followed by Jamie Roxas who produced 12 points and 8 rebounds.
“They had less playing time today but they were more efficient on the court. Camille wasn’t forcing anything so she wasn’t turning the ball over. Jamie was just improving positionally so it was easy baskets for her,” stated La Salle head coach Cholo Villanueva.
The Lady Archers started the game strong as a Claro basket gave La Salle a 34-26 advantage over Adamson at the break.
Just like in their previous games, the Lady Archers turned up the pressure in the third quarter. Khate Castillo scored to provide a 24 point cushion for La Salle midway through the period.
La Salle maintained its momentum and a Chay Vergara shot made it 60-36 in favor of the Lady Archers at the end of the third quarter.
Once the fourth quarter started, Roxas delivered underneath the rim to give La Salle its biggest lead of the game at 62-36.
However, the final period belonged to Adamson as they waxed hot with 25 points. Mariz Cacho’s trey cut the deficit to just eight points, but it was too little too late as La Salle won 69-61.
“Our intensity wavered especially in the fourth quarter,” lamented Villanueva. “I told the girls that we need to be consistent all throughout the game.”
The keys to La Salle’s win today was its rebounds and assists. The Lady Archers had 58 rebounds and 19 assists compared to the Lady Falcons’ 41 rebounds and 12 assists. La Salle also shot 34.25 percent from the field while Adamson made 31.25 percent.
“We’re not the same team from last year. We’re not an Ara Abaca driven team or a Camille Claro driven team or a Snow Penaranda team. Again all five guys have their roles. Whoever is open, you need to give the extra pass and whoever is given that extra pass needs to make the shot,” quipped the sophomore mentor.
Up next for DLSU (4-1) will be University of the East (4-1) on September 28, 10:00AM while Adamson (2-3) shall also play against UE on October 2, 8:00AM. Both games will be in the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
DLSU (69) – Claro 14, Roxas 12, Penaranda 10, Castillo 7, Revillosa 7, Dagdagan 5, Vela 3, Nunez 2, Vergara 2, Gonzales 2, Arciga 2, Ali Mohamed El Hadad 2, Malarde 1, Torres 0, Javier 0, Figueroa 0.
ADU (61) – Alcoy 9, Rosario 9, Lacson 7, Razalo 7, Cacho 7, Pingol 5, Camacho 4, Osano 4, Cabug 4, Dampios 3, Tacitac 2, Araja 0, Gaite 0, Aciro 0, Loretero 0.
Quarterscores: 16-11, 34-26, 60-36, 69-61.
