What men can do, women can do just the same.
Luisa San Juan proved this on Wednesday noon, sinking 10 three-pointers and tying the UAAP basketball record for the most triples by an individual in a single game – whether men’s or women’s.
San Juan’s impressive performance – with 34 points on 10-of-20 shooting from beyond the arc – led De La Salle University to its first victory in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament.
They defeated Far Eastern University, 89-65.
Her 10 three-pointers tied the all-time UAAP record held by National University’s Jeff Napa, who set the mark on August 22, 2002, against Adamson in Season 65.
It also matches University of the East’s Allan Caidic, who originally achieved the feat in Season 48 back in 1985.
Reflecting on her achievement, San Juan emphasized the only significant difference between men’s and women’s basketball is dunking.
“I think ang hindi lang nagagawa ng women ay ‘yung dunking eh. But apart from that, physicality, ‘yung shooting, ‘yung strategies, pare-pareho lang,” said San Juan, who finished with a game-high plus-35 in her 31 minutes on the floor against the Lady Tamaraws.
San Juan’s 10 treys also set a new women’s division record, surpassing former La Salle sniper Khate Castillo’s previous mark of eight three-pointers.
Castillo set her own record on October 29, 2017, in a 60-67 loss to Adamson.
When informed that she had broken Castillo’s record, San Juan felt thrilled, knowing the reputation her predecessor had as a sharpshooter.
“That’s very nice, that’s so nice kasi Lasallian din. I mean, Ate Khate is Ate Khate – shooter talaga siya. At least nasa amin pa rin ‘yung record sa La Salle,” said the third-year small forward from Itchen College in the United Kingdom.
Lady Archers head coach Cholo Villanueva was proud of the record San Juan set, though he wasn’t surprised by her success.
Villanueva noted San Juan’s dedication in practice and believed that her hard work would pay off eventually.
“She’s been working hard in practices, pushing herself offensively and defensively, putting in the work in her shot,” said Villanueva, who had also coached Castillo during Season 80.
“She was just taking those open shots. This girl doesn’t lack confidence – every time she has the ball, she’ll try to score. She’s very skilled in those aspects of the game.”
