Ateneo de Manila University jumped out of the gates in the opening half before closing the game on a strong note to survive Adamson University, 49-39 in the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Basketball Tournament Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Danica Jose and Hazelle Yam fueled the early attack of the Lady Eagles as the Loyola side went on a 16-4 blast to open the match.
The flurry continued in the second frame as Ateneo forced turnover after turnover which led to easy baskets in transition on the other end.
Jose and Kristina Deacon, who finished with a game-high 11 rebounds, protected the paint on the other side to enable Ateneo to establish a commanding 28-8 halftime lead.
But Jose was saddled with foul trouble at the start of the third quarter as she was taken out of the game for most of the period.
The Lady Eagles also got above the limit early, allowing the Lady Falcons to go on an 8-0 run, all coming from the foul line.
Ateneo was limited to one field goal conversion in the third and were outscored 3-14.
Back-to-back triples by Jaime Alcoy in the fourth quarter plus a basket by Janille De Castro pulled Adamson to as close as 31-35.
Later on, Claire Aseron nailed a three while Katrina Guytingco scored underneath although Adamson responded via baskets from Rhea Tacitac and De Castro to close the gap to 41-36.
But Jose and Yam combined for the last 8 points for Ateneo to give them a 49-36 cushion towards the end of the game.
Ateneo had a 17-2 lead in fastbreak points and had 9 more turnover points (15-6) despite committing one more turnover (26-25) than Adamson.
The Lady Eagles also outrebounded the Lady Falcons 65-42 for a 19-0 lead in second chance points.
Adamson shot a measly 19 percent from the field as they got clobbered underneath by Ateneo’s size.
Jose had 14 points and 8 rebounds while Yam chipped in 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Both teams end the first round with a 3-4 card.
The Scores:
Ateneo (49) – Jose 14, Yam 13, Guytingco 6, Go 4, Deacon 4, Tomita 3, Aseron 3, Buendia 2, Javier 0, Nitorreda 0, Newsome 0, Posadas 0, Payac 0, Moslares 0
Adamson (39) – Alcoy 11, De Castro 10, Cochico 6, Tacitac 4, Lacson 4, Osano 2, Aciro 2, Generoso 0, Araja 0, Ido 0, Diaz 0, Tabanao 0, Pingol 0
Quarters: 16-4, 28-8, 31-22, 49-39.
