Adamson University shackled a winless University of the East, 54-43, to return to the win column in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Looking to bounce back from a 51-69 setback against defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs last Wednesday, the Lady Falcons leaned once again on the Gilas Pilipinas Women 3×3 duo of Cheska Apag and Elaine Etang.
The duo sparked a dominant start, powering Adamson to an 18-point, 28-10 halftime lead — a deficit the Lady Warriors struggled to overcome.
With the wire-to-wire triumph, Adamson secured solo fifth place in the eight-team field, improving to a 2-3 record for solo fifth.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“I think part lang talaga sa game plan namin ‘yon na right from the get go, pick up na agad sa defense namin kaagad. I think and I believe na nakikita naman sa stats na defense talaga yung bread and butter ng team namin. We’re number three in terms of defensive stats UAAP as far as we know, kaya we’re there to capitalize on our defense talaga,” Lady Falcons head coach Jed Colonia said.
In the third quarter, UE rallied behind the trio of Aliyah Ronquillo, Moana Vacalares, and Syvil Onate, who took turns sparking a 15-4 Lady Warriors run that cut the deficit from 33-14 to eight at 37-29 with 3:13 left in the frame.
However, Apag knocked down a three-pointer before Etang converted a highly contested layup, restoring a 13-point, 42-29 cushion for Adamson heading into the final period.
That proved to be all the breathing room the Lady Falcons needed. Two consecutive layups by Etang and Season 82 Girls Basketball MVP Cris Padilla, a midrange jumper and layup by Angeline Alaba, and an inside basket by Nigerian center Kemi Adeshina built a decisive 52-32 lead with less than 4:30 remaining — effectively sealing Adamson’s comeback triumph.
Apag led the way with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, adding four rebounds, three steals, and one assist, while Etang contributed 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals despite shooting 5-of-14 and committing eight turnovers.
Brianna Bajo made her presence felt despite scoring only two points on 1-of-7 shooting, tallying 11 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Padilla finished with eight points, four assists, four steals, and one rebound.
The Lady Falcons aim to extend their winning ways when they face the still-unbeaten University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses next Saturday, October 18, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, UE’s struggles continued as they fell to 0-4, extending their losing streak to 14 straight outings since a breakthrough first-round triumph against De La Salle University on September 22, 2024, in Season 87 that ended a 40-game skid.
Rachel Lacayanga struggled, scoring nine points on 3-of-13 shooting with eight turnovers but still contributed five rebounds and four steals, while Onate also added nine points with three rebounds and three assists.
Vacalares recorded eight points, four rebounds, and four steals, while Kezza Buscar chipped in eight points, two rebounds, and two steals.
The Lady Warriors look to bounce back against the Lady Archers on Wednesday, October 15, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Scores:
AdU (54) – Apag 13, Etang 10, Padilla 8, Adeshina 6, E. Alaba 5, A. Alaba 3, Bajo 2, Agolo 2, Carcallas 2, Ornopia 2, Munoz 1, Meniano 0, Limbago 0, Mazo 0, Manlimos 0, Cortez 0.
UE (43) – Onate 9, Lacayanga 9, Vacalares 8, Buscar 8, Dalguntas 4, Ronquillo 3, Yanez 2, Lumibao 0, Gullim 0, Ramos 0, Gomez 0, Delig 0.
Quarterscores: 19-8, 28-10, 42-29, 54-43.
