By: Joaquin Cortez
De La Salle University overwhelmed the University of the East, 70-55, to secure its first win in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
After dropping their opening game against Far Eastern University last Wednesday, the Lady Archers improved to 1-1, while the Lady Warriors fell to 0-2 and suffered their 26th consecutive loss dating back to Season 87.
“It’s a good character win for us that we came back from a loss, especially our first game. I’m not sure if it was the same team in the first game that I was coaching,” said DLSU head coach Cholo Villanueva. “It was just a far different team from that last game, and this is how we looked noong preseason. Because of the UAAP jitters, it’s a different environment, so everybody is adjusting to the game, to the arenas, and the environment.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Lady Archers came out firing, cruising to an 11-2 start before UE responded with a 5-0 run capped by Kristine Dalguntas’ triple to trim the deficit to six, 22-16, at the end of the opening frame.
UE refused to let La Salle pull away in the second quarter, with Roshelle Lumibao’s midrange jumper giving the Lady Warriors their first lead of the game at 29-28.
However, the momentum did not last long, as the Lady Archers answered with an 11-1 closing run to reclaim a 39-30 advantage at halftime.
La Salle weathered every attempt from UE to claw its way back, maintaining a double-digit cushion throughout the third quarter before Bukky Ojo’s layup stretched the Lady Archers’ lead to 17, 55-38, heading into the final frame.
DLSU continued to hound the Lady Warriors in the fourth quarter, limiting UE to just 15 points as the Lady Archers cruised to a 15-point victory.
Kyla Go paced the Lady Archers with 18 points, three rebounds, and six steals, while 6-foot-3 Nigerian center Favour Ojo added 13 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
For UE, Rachel Lacayanga and Sy Onate led the team with 10 points apiece, while Lumibao chipped in seven points and three rebounds.
The Lady Archers will next face Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 12 p.m. in a rivalry matchup, while the Lady Warriors will look to snap their losing skid against Adamson University on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 12 p.m.
Both games will be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
DLSU 70 – Go 18, Ojo 13, Lubrico 7, Sunga 7, Dizon 6, Duenas 5, Villapando 4, Bacierto 4, Dizon 4, Araza 2, Villarin 0, Teves 0, Evangelio 0, Tenebro 0.
UE 55 – Lacayanga 10, Onate 10, Lumibao 7, Valacares 6, Dalguntas 6, Buscar 5, Gullim 5, Salise 2, Ramos 2, Cruz 2, Ronquillo 0, Sajol 0, Dublar 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 39-30, 55-38, 70-55.
