Rose Dampios nails winner as Adamson silences UST

Rose Ann Dampios completed the Adamson University’s fightback from 16-points down to stun the University of Santo Tomas, 88-86, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The sophomore buried the go-ahead trey with 16 seconds left, capping off her 26-point performance on a sensational 6-of-15 clip from deep. She also collected two rebounds, two steals, and a block to buck the Lady Falcons’ slow start to the game.

Mar Prado added 18 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Kat Araja chimed in 16 points, eight boards, six assists, and four steals. Meanwhile, Gerl Anticamara also helped in the rally with her 15 points, four rebounds, and three dimes.

Down by as much as 16 points, Adamson clawed back. They cut the lead down to just a solitary point with a minute left after a huge basket by rookie Anticamara. A stop by the Lady Falcons set up Dampios’ heroics.

It was Adamson’s third straight win to rise to 3-1 in the standings. On the other hand, UST suffered back-to-back losses to fall to 2-2.

The Lady Falcons also did a better job defending the paint in the second half even after Grace Irebu uncorked 34 points, 21 rebounds, and three blocks for the Golden Tigresses.

“Si Irebu ang heart and soul nila, so sabi ko, patayin natin ang heart and soul nila,” said coach Ewon Arayi. “The other players will still do their best, pero naniniwala ako na ‘pag sinandalan natin ang sistema, we’ll win this game.”

Tantoy Ferrer contributed 16 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists, but committed nine of UST’s 32 turnovers in the affair.

Lon Rivera also got 13 points and three boards in the loss.

The Scores:

ADU 88 –– Dampios 26, Prado 18, Araja 16, Anticamara 15, Bilbao 8, Ornopia 5, Tandaan 0, Mendoza 0, Flor 0, Catulong 0.

UST 86 — Irebu 34, Ferrer 16, Rivera 13, Portillo 8, Soriano 5, Callangan 4, Tacatac 3, Panti 3, Javier 0, Gonzales 0, Gandalla 0.

Quarterscores: 13-25, 39-46, 59-62, 88-86.