Danica Jose and Hazelle Yam joined hands to lead Ateneo de Manila University’s charge while the team held forth down the stretch for a 48-46 win over Far Eastern University Sunday in the UAAP Season 78 women’s basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The sophomore Yam played her finest game yet in a Lady Eagles uniform, contributing 16 points on an efficient 8-for-13 shooting while also finishing with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.
Jose logged another double-double, topscoring for the Loyola group with 17 points and 11 rebounds, taking care of the paint towards the end of a wire-to-wire battle.
Ateneo started pulling away in the second quarter as Yam led the squad’s transition attack.
A Clare Aseron triple followed by a three-point play by Danica Jose put Ateneo on top, 32-23 after the first half.
The Lady Tamaraws responded in the third quarter with three straight baskets, although Yam and Jose took turns in scoring to maintain the cushion heading into the final frame.
A fastbreak layup by Jose to open the fourth pushed the Lady Eagles lead to 46-37 in what turned out to be a low-scoring fourth period.
FEU staged one last rally after a 7-0 blast pulled them within 44-46. Yam broke the silence for Ateneo although Clare Castro’s inside basket made it 48-46 for Ateneo.
Turnovers and missed shots figured the last two minutes of play, with Ateneo dominating possession in the final minute.
Yam however missed two foul shots in the final 15 seconds, leaving the door open for FEU but Angel Arellado turned the ball over in the last play as time run out.
The Lady Eagles improved to 2-4 with the win. Castro led the 1-5 Lady Tamaraws with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
The Scores:
ADMU (48) – Jose 17, Yam 16, Go 5, Javier 3, Aseron 3, Guytingco 2, Posadas 2, Buendia 0, Nitorreda 0, Moslares 0, Deacon 0, Newsome 0, Tomita 0, Payac 0, Lamar 0.
FEU (46) – Castro 18, Ballecer 10, Adriano 5, Arellado 3, Ventura 2, Hortaleza 2, Quiapo 2, Baldonado 2, Okunlola 2, Abat 0, Mamaril 0, Payadon 0, Capua 0.
Quarterscores: 14-14, 32-23, 44-37, 48-46.
