By: Joaquin Cortez
Victoria Pasilang’s go-ahead putback lifted Far Eastern University past Adamson University, 50-48, as the Lady Tamaraws closed out their first-round campaign with back-to-back victories in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
With the win, FEU moved into a tie with Adamson at 4-3, gaining a confidence boost heading into the tougher battles of the second round.
After building a 15-point halftime lead, the Lady Tamaraws saw their advantage dwindle as the Lady Falcons mounted a second-half comeback to force a 48-all deadlock in the final minute.
Despite struggling in the second half, Pasilang came through in the clutch, converting a putback off Elaine Patio’s missed pull-up jumper to give FEU a 50-48 lead with 7.8 seconds remaining.
Adamson had one last chance to force overtime, but Elaine Etang’s layup fell short as the Lady Tamaraws held on for the victory.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“‘Yung ginawa ko, tine-training namin yan. ‘Yun ‘yung sinasabi ni Coach Raiza (Palmera-Dy) na ‘Kung anong gagawin mo sa practice, magagawa mo sa team,’” Pasilang said of her game-winning play. “Kaya nagawa namin yung mga bagay na tulad ng putback.”
Pasilang led the Lady Tamaraws with 18 points, including 14 in the first half, to go with seven rebounds and three steals. Patio also played a key role in the victory, finishing with 15 points and six rebounds.
FEU pulled away in the second quarter after the teams ended the opening period tied at 11-all. The Lady Tamaraws limited Adamson to just eight points in the frame, with Patio splitting her free throws to give FEU its largest lead of the first half at 34-19.
However, the Lady Falcons turned the tide in the third quarter, holding FEU to just nine points. Angeline Alaba then drained a timely triple to cut the deficit to eight, 43-35, heading into the final period.
Adamson continued to chip away at the lead, with Kim Limbago converting two free throws to bring the Lady Falcons within four, 46-42, with less than five minutes remaining.
Amyah Espanol briefly restored FEU’s cushion with a putback off her own miss to make it 48-42.
The Lady Falcons then held FEU scoreless for nearly four minutes, capitalizing with a 6-0 run capped by Trix Burgos’ free throws to knot the game at 48-all with 56 seconds remaining.
That set the stage for Pasilang’s late-game heroics.
“Nothing about the last shot. It’s a collective effort, eh. From the first quarter, second quarter, third, and then fourth, we worked hard for it. Actually, we had a 15-point lead going into the second half,” FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy said. “Medyo nag-relax kami and ‘yun ‘yung kailangan kong i-instill sa mga bata na we cannot afford to do that. We were up pero kailangan 0-0 ang mindset pagdating ng second half.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, Cheska Apag and Etang led Adamson with 11 points apiece, followed by Alaba and Burgos, who contributed seven points each.
Adamson also suffered an injury scare late in the game, as Nadine Muñoz left with 5:05 remaining in the final period after twisting her ankle on a layup attempt.
Both teams will begin their second-round campaigns on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
FEU will look to sustain its momentum against National University at 10 a.m., while Adamson will aim to bounce back against Ateneo de Manila University at 12 p.m.
The Scores:
FEU 50 – Pasilang 18, Patio 15, Espanol 8, Salvani 3, Manguiat 3, Dela Torre 2, Lopez 1, Kant 0, Gavaran 0, Peje 0, Agcambot 0.
Adamson 48 – Apag 11, Etang 11, Alaba 7, Burgos 7, Limbago 4, Meniano 3, Medina 3, Cortez 2, Adeshina 0, Mazo 0, Bajo 0, Muñoz 0, Tano 0, Carcallas 0, Villaester 0, Manlimos 0.
Quarterscores: 11-11, 34-19, 43-35, 50-48.
