Far Eastern University shot lights out from beyond the arc to torch University of the Philippines, 94-66, in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday night at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Lady Tamaraws drained 13 of their 29 three-pointers, an impressive 44.8 percent, to claim their first win over the Fighting Maroons since the second round of Season 82 in 2019, snapping a six-game skid against UP.
FEU, which last advanced past the eliminations in UAAP Season 82 (2019), improved its record to 2-2, climbing to solo fourth place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“The girls worked for it. These players, very emotional kami nung natalo kami against Adamson last game and we really have to bounce back this game. We have a goal. At the end of the elimination, we want to be in the top four para at least makapasok kami sa Final Four,” said Lady Tamaraws head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy.
The duo of one-and-done guard Shemaiah Abatayo and Amyah Espanol led FEU’s charge with a dominant first-half performance, combining for 24 points to establish a 49-31 lead at the break.
Abatayo finished with 25 points on six triples, adding three rebounds, three assists, and a steal, while Espanol contributed 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Shane Salvani also reached double figures with 13 points, six assists, five rebounds, and a steal.
The Lady Tamaraws will next face league-leading University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, UP dropped its third straight game, falling to 2-3 and sharing fifth place with Adamson University.
Camille Nolasco carried the fight for the Maroons with 16 points, while Achrissa Maw added 11 points and eight rebounds.
UP will look to end its slump next Sunday when it takes on winless De La Salle University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
FEU (94) – Abatayo 25, Espanol 19, Salvani 13, Pasilang 9, Manguiat 7, Nagma 6, Lopez 5, Patio 5, Dela Torre 4, Garavan 1, Villanueva 0, Casais 0, Agcambot 0, Ong 0.
UP (66) – Nolasco 16, Maw 11, Ozar 9, Tapawan 8, Vingno 8, Cunanan 7, Mendoza 3, Barba 3, Pascua 1, Solitario 0, Evangelista 0, Mejasco 0, Castro 0.
Quarterscores: 29-21, 49-31, 74-50, 94-66
