Ruthlaine Tacula came up big in the fourth quarter to lead the University of the East Lady Warriors past the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in a 62-51 victory today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Every game naman talaga si Tacula binubuhos niya ang lahat. Kahit sa practice tumotodo yan. Lagi nuya sinasabi sa akin na, ‘Coach last year ko na. Hindi ako pwede mag-relax. So every game talagang ibibigay ko yung 100 percent para sa UE at para sa inyong lahat na mga coaches,” commented UE mentor Aileen Lebornio.
Tacula scored 20 points, 10 of which came in the final period, to grant the Lady Warriors separation from the pesky Lady Eagles. Eunique Chan also contributed greatly to the UE cause with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
With the scores level at 50-50 with 3:58 left in regulation, Tacula sunk a trey to hand the Lady Warriors a 55-51 edge from the Lady Eagles.
Ateneo failed to respond to UE’s momentum as the latter’s lead ballooned when Bienca Ramos and Chan scored four unanswered points to make it 59-51 for the Lady Warriors with just 57.1 seconds remaining.
Tacula then sealed the win with a drive and free throw, which made the final scoreline read 62-51 in favor of UE. It was the third straight win for the Lady Warriors after their opening day loss against the National University Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
“Talagang nakapag-adjust kami in fourth quarter. Nakuha namin yung depensa namin. Mas maganda yung nirotate namin sa depensa. Siguro yung key in winning dito ay yung defense namin,” added Lebornio.
The Lady Warriors made 34 inside points against the Lady Eagles’ 18. Ateneo were lead today by Jolina Go and Katrina Guytingco, who produced 13 and 11 points respectively. It was also the second straight loss for Ateneo this season.
UE (3-1) shall next face the Adamson University on October 1, 10:00 AM, while Ateneo (2-2) will take on the University of Santo Tomas on September 27, 10:00 AM. Both games are to be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Scores:
UE (62) – Tacula 20, Chan 17, Francisco 9, Sto. Domingo 8, Ramos 4, Gayacao 3, Cortizano 1, Requiron 1, Strachan 0.
ADMU (51) – Go 13, Guytingco 11, Uy De Ong 8, Joson 6, Deacon 4, Newsome 4, Buendia 3, Yam 2, Payac 0, Morelos 0, Cancio 0.
Quarterscores: 12-13, 24-18, 42-43, 62-51.
