The Far Eastern University averted a 21-point meltdown and repulsed Adamson, 73-67, Saturday in the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.
Clare Castro led the Lady Tamaraws with 28 points, 17 rebounds, and five blocks, as they survived a furious third quarter rally from the Lady Falcons. They even fought back from an eight-point deficit, 65-57, with 6:14 left in the game.
Her inside presence allowed FEU to come back and she even tied the game at 67 with a short stab with 1:15 remaining.
From there, the Lady Tamaraws’ experience prevailed. Jay delos Santos scored the go-ahead layup with 16.1 seconds remaining, while the Lady Falcons committed three costly turnovers in the endgame to halt their rally.
“Yung experience nagkatalo. Mas veteran ang players ko,” said coach Bert Flores. “Sabi lang namin, kailangan mapunta yung bola sa mismatches. Maganda ang puso nila sa endgame.”
Valerie Mamaril notched 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists for FEU, while Fatima Quiapo got nine points, six boards, and six dimes in the victory.
Delos Santos added five points, three rebounds, and three assists to make up for the offensive foul called against her with 29.2 ticks left.
“Nakabawi naman siya para sa amin,” said Flores, as the Lady Tamaraws snapped their two-game skid.
The win brings FEU level for the second spot, 5-2, with UST.
“Kailangan mamuhunan ka sa first round kasi sa second round, mahirap na. Masaya ako sa lagay namin ngayon,” Flores said.
Meanwhile, Adamson dropped to 4-3 in the standings after incurring back-to-back defeats to end the first round.
Mar Prado paced the Lady Falcons with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and four steals. Lhyn Bilbao got a double-double of 14 points and 13 boards.
The Scores:
FEU 73 — Castro 28, Mamaril 15, Quiapo 9, Antiola 7, Abat 5, Delos Santos 5, Jumuad 4, Adriano 0, Bahuyan 0, Bastatas 0, Payadon 0, Vidal 0.
ADU 67 — Prado 21, Bilbao 14, Catulong 12, Araja 9, Dampios 6, Mendoza 3, Flor 2, Anticamara 0, Ornopia 0.
Quarterscores: 26-10, 40-27, 51-54, 73-67.
