Far Eastern University is looking to build momentum after a rocky start to its UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament campaign.
After opening the season with back-to-back wins, the Lady Tamaraws suffered three consecutive losses before bouncing back with a 73-53 victory over the University of the East on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
According to head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy, the difference in their bounce-back win was the collective effort of the entire team, with more players stepping up on the offensive end.
Through their first five games, the Lady Tamaraws largely relied on three players for scoring, with Amyah Espanol, Victoria Pasilang, and Shane Salvani averaging a combined 37 points per game, accounting for more than half of FEU’s 63.6-point scoring average.
On Wednesday, however, the Lady Tamaraws received significant contributions from Erica Lopez, who led the team with 14 points on four-of-nine shooting from beyond the arc, and MJ Manguiat, who chipped in 10 points.
“We are actually waiting for the girls lang na mag-connect yung outside shooting namin, kasi these past few games, we’re the lowest in terms sa percentage ng three-point field goals,” said Palmera-Dy.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
FEU entered the game ranked last in the league in three-point shooting, having converted just 18 of 112 attempts for a 16.07-percent clip.
Against the Lady Warriors, however, the Lady Tamaraws showed signs of improvement, shooting 28.1 percent from beyond the arc on 32 attempts.
Despite the encouraging performance, Palmera-Dy stressed that one win would not immediately signal a turnaround, emphasizing the importance of sustaining their improved play as FEU approaches its final game of the first round.
“That’s one thing we need to address. But again, the story is gaano kami magiging consistent when those players, and with the help of the other guards, so yun yung kailangan naming ma-achieve.”
For Lopez and Manguiat, who are both playing their final seasons with the Lady Tamaraws, the urgency to step up has never been greater.
Beyond proving themselves, the two veterans hope to contribute consistently as FEU seeks to end its six-year Final Four drought.
“We treat every game as a championship game, so parang wala ka nang babalikan, so do it now,” said Lopez.
“Since last na nga namin, gusto lang din namin ibigay ‘yung lahat ng kaya naming ibigay tsaka maitulong sa mga paparating na bago naming teammates,” Manguiat added.
