Shane Cunanan emerged as the hero in overtime as University of the Philippines fended off a resilient University of the East side, 84-75, for its second straight win in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
After a frustrating 5-9 campaign that shut them out of Final Four contention in Season 87, the Fighting Maroons have bounced back with a flawless 2-0 start — exactly the kind of resurgence they needed in a highly competitive UAAP women’s basketball field.
Behind the clutch heroics of Alex Mendoza, the steady emergence of Gilas Women guard Louna Ozar, and a career outing from Camille Nolasco, UP asserted its mastery over UE.
The team notched its eighth straight win against the Ian Valdez-mentored squad since a 55-52 second-round victory in Season 82 on October 12, 2019.
“I’m so very grateful and happy kasi hindi naman lahat nabibigyan ng ganitong opportunity. Palagi ko lang din iniisip sa sarili ko na kailangan ko mag-step up kasi hindi naman all the time na lahat kami fully high ang energy,” said the third-year forward out of Montessori School of Jean Inc., who tallied 15 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and one steal — eight of those points coming in overtime.
“Pag may teammates ako na nada-down or nafru-frustrate, iniisip ko lang na I have to step up for them.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The game featured multiple swings of momentum.
UP trailed 46-55 in the fourth quarter before rallying back, but UE refused to fold. Aliyah Ronquillo hit clutch baskets to keep the Lady Warriors alive, and Ivy Yanez capped regulation with a buzzer-beating banked floater to force overtime.
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm early in the extra period until Cunanan took over. She scored eight of UP’s 10 points in the extension through an and-one layup, three free throws, and a turnaround jumper.
That surge pushed the Lady Warriors into an 84-74 hole with just 46 seconds left — a deficit they could not recover from.
“They fought very well, and it shows that this season is all about respect talaga. You cannot disrespect any other team. Not taking away the great game from UE, but I feel we also had a lot of lapses on our end. I’m just really happy that we came out as the winner of the game,” said UP head coach Paul Ramos, whose team’s suffocating defense held UE to a dismal 0-of-9 shooting clip in overtime.
Nolasco powered UP with a career-best 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, along with seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Ozar orchestrated the offense with a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists, plus four rebounds, three steals, and a block.
Mendoza chipped in 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Achrissa Maw contributed across the board with five points, seven rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and two steals.
The gritty overtime triumph now sets up a big test for the Fighting Maroons as they take on defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, September 4, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other side, despite the gallant efforts of Rachel Lacayanga, Moana Vacalares, and Ronquillo, UE faltered in the extra period, scoring only one point.
Their hunt continues for a first win since ending a 40-game skid against De La Salle University in Season 87 last September 22, 2024.
Lacayanga led UE with a monster double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds, while also adding two steals and one assist. Ronquillo added 16 points, but both she and Lacayanga fouled out in overtime, which proved costly.
Vacalares chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, two steals, and an assist, while Kezza Buscar and Yanez provided 11 points apiece in the loss.
The Lady Warriors aim to bounce back when they face the season hosts, University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses, on the same date and venue.
The Scores:
UP (84) – Nolasco 21, Cunanan 15, Ozar 14, Mendoza 11, Vingno 6, Maw 5, Barba 5, Evangelista 4, Mejasco 2, Castro 1, Solitario 0, Tapawan 0, Santos 0, Pascua 0, Pesquera 0.
UE (75) – Lacayanga 18, Ronquillo 16, Vacalares 12, Buscar 11, Yañez 11, Guillim 2, Dalguntas 2, Ramos 2, Onate 1, Gomez 0, Lituania 0, Lumibao 0, Delig 0.
Quarterscores: 19-14, 39-33, 47-55, 74-74, 84-75
