De La Salle-Zobel secured the bronze medal in the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Basketball Tournament with a commanding 100-47 victory over Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday at Blue Eagle Gym.
The Junior Lady Archers closed their campaign with a 2-4 record, their other win coming from a 101-21 blowout against the Blue Eagles in the first round.
Beyond the podium finish, DLSZ head coach Louie Fernandez used the game to honor his three graduating seniors — Ima Navarro, Hazell Winar, and Irish Notarte.
“They played with pride. Every game, they played hard. We captured the title in the WNCAA, and we are hoping that tuloy-tuloy na ito for our program,” Fernandez said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
DLSZ dominated from the start, leading 20-5 after the first quarter, 43-20 at halftime, and 76-37 entering the final frame.
Navarro finished her final game for DLSZ with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
“I’ve been in Zobel’s grassroots program. I’m just happy to see the program improving a lot, and women’s basketball is given more focus,” said the 5-foot-7 winger, who also played for Gilas Pilipinas Girls in the FIBA Under-16 Women’s Asian Championship 2023. “I’m really proud of my team. We had a better run compared to last year.”
“I’m so happy kasi you can see the glimpse na pataas yung program. Sobrang happy ako sa effort ng mga bata kasi for the past year, they’ve been waking up at 4 a.m. dahil 5 a.m. training namin, then they still have class at 8 a.m.,” Fernandez added.
“To appreciate Ima — an honor student, team captain, and Gilas player. Sobrang happy ako, and I hope they follow her footsteps.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Apyang Dulay recorded a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Ching Ching Gales contributed 16 points and nine rebounds.
Bing Padigos added 12 points, and Stef Contreras posted six points, eight rebounds, five assists, and 12 steals.
Ateneo, still seeking a breakthrough win after three challenging seasons, was led by Cheska Gozum with 11 points.
The Scores:
DLSZ 100 – Navarro 18, Dulay 18, Gales 16, Padigos 12, Winer 9, Ogario 8, Contreras 6, Martinez 5, Roque 5, Sanares 3, Cuaresma 0, Notarte 0.
Ateneo 47 – Gozum 11, Molina 8, Mariano 7, Ablang 6, Templo 5, Ebao 4, Palmiery 4, Dalanon 2, Vejerano 0, Doque 0, Madamba 0, Trillo 0, Chuidian 0.
Quarterscores: 20-5, 43-20, 74-37, 100-47.
