Far Eastern University arrested its skid, picking apart Ateneo de Manila University with a 71-66 win in the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Basketball Tournament, Wednesday at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Clare Castro towed the Lady Tamaraws back to the win column after they suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of the NU Lady Bulldogs and UST Tigresses. The 6-foot-4 center had 23 points and 10 rebounds.
But it was Jay Delos Santos who provided the spark for FEU.
“Morale-boosting sa amin ‘yung nilaro ni Delos Santos,” said FEU head coach Bert Flores. “Hirap na hirap kami makuha ‘yung panalo nung NU at UST. Ngayon bawal na kaming matalo if gusto pa namin mag-top two.”
With the game knotted at 38-all heading into the third frame, Delos Santos took charge, scoring nine points in the quarter to put FEU up for good.
Castro then dominated in the final frame, as FEU led by as much as 14 points late in the game.
Delos Santos had 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field — 7-of-7 from the foul stripe — alongside nine rebounds.
The victory lifted the Lady Tamaraws to a 7-4 slate, 1.5 games behind second-running UST and half-a-game ahead of Adamson.
“Kailangan maging consistent na kami, especially kalaban namin sa susunod La Salle,” opined Flores. “Hindi na puwede ‘yung slow start then strong finish o strong start then slow finish. Kailangan strong na from start to finish.”
Ateneo, on the other hand, dropped its fourth straight game to fall to a 3-8 slate.
Jhaz Joson paced the Lady Eagles with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Meanwhile, Melissa Newsome added 13 markers.
The Scores:
FEU 71 – Castro 23, Delos Santos 16, Jumuad 8, Quiapo 8, Abat 6, Mamaril 4, Antiola 3, Bahuyan 3, Pacia 0, Vidal 0.
ADMU 66 – Joson 15, Newsome 13, Yam 11, Payac 10, Moslares 5, Villamor 5, Cancio 4, De Dios 3, Aquisap 0, Chu 0, Guytingco 0.
Quarterscores: 18-23, 38-38, 58-49, 71-66.
