The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles returned to winning ways as they won 60-56 against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Hazelle Yam and Jonette Uy De Ong led the Lady Eagles as both players produced 14 points and 6 rebounds. Jollina Go followed them with 11 points and 7 rebounds.
Ateneo started the game strongly with a 29-25 advantage at halftime over FEU. Circumstances, though, went against Ateneo, as the Lady Eagles head coach John Flores got ejected in the third quarter after being given his second technical foul.
Flores’ ejection allowed FEU to rally, and the Lady Tamaraws ended the third quarter 38-39, behind the Lady Eagles courtesy of a Valerie Mamaril trey.
“Ang sinabi ko, ‘Bigay natin ito kay coach John [Flores]. Kung matatakot pa kami na wala yung head coach namin, hindi kami aabot ng ganiyan,” narrated Ateneo assistant coach Chris Bautista.
“Baka tambak kami. Alam naman natin ang FEU experienced team yan. Dun kami lalong lumakas.”
Perhaps fired up by Flores’ ejection, Ateneo displayed resilience to weather the storm. Baskets from Yam and Kristina Deacon gave the Lady Eagles a 51-42 lead over the Lady Tamaraws early in the fourth quarter.
Ateneo’s nine-point cushion, though, didn’t last long, as Mamaril was able to bring FEU within four points at 47-51. Nevertheless, baskets from Uy De Ong and Akiko Tomita gave the Lady Eagles a 58-51 cushion late in the period.
While the Lady Tamaraws threatened to stage a comeback when a Joannah Ouano trey and Maria Balleser’s free throws brought made it 56-58, FEU failed to execute properly in their next possession and a free throw each from Uy De Ong and Yam sealed the 60-56 win.
For Bautista, the win was had to be credited to Ateneo’s defense. The Lady Eagles forced the Lady Tamaraws to commit 29 turnovers in the game. Once the game ended, however, Bautista turned the focus towards UE. “Mabigat yun. We need to work hard for it. Talagang lalaban sila,” surmised Bautista.
Up next for ADMU (2-2) will be the University of the East (3-1) on Saturday, September 24, at 10:00 AM, while FEU (1-3) shall play against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses (1-2) on Saturday, October 1 at 10:00 AM. Both games will be played in the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
ADMU (60) – Yam 14, Uy De Ong 14, Go 11, Tomita 6, Guytingco 5, Deacon 4, Cancio 3, Villamor 3, Newsome 0, Payac 0.
FEU (56) – Mamaril 23, Balleser 9, Payadon 9, Ouano 6, Arellado 5, Ventura 3, Gerner 2, Capua 2, Jumuad 0, Quiapo 0, Vidal 0, De Guzman 0, Abat 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12, 29-25, 39-38, 60-56.
