After overcoming the University of Santo Growling Tigresses, the University of the East Lady Warriors defeated the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 69-51, to clinch their second win in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Once again, Love Sto. Domingo led the Lady Warriors with her third consecutive double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Eunique Chan followed her with 12 points, today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
UE started slow in the game, and only UP’s lack of execution on offense allowed them to end the first half with a score of 26-21. That slow start frustrated Lady Warriors coach Aileen Lebornio.
“Nung first quarter pinagalitan ko silang lahat kasi yan yung goal namin eh. Sinabi ko sa kanila na hindi kamo UP, di na kayo maglalaro ng maayos. Kasi nangyari sa amin before yan. Second round pasok kami, nadapa kami dun at natalo kami ng UP by one point,” shared the UE mentor.
It was in the third quarter when the Lady Warriors virtually secured the game. A 9-3 run capped off by a Eunique Chan basket gave the Lady Warriors a 35-24 lead over the Lady Maroons. That run gave UE a comfortable cushion to fend off UP.
While the Lady Maroons were able to cut the deficit to eight points, a Chan free throw allowed the Lady Warriors to carry a 44-35 advantage heading into the final period.
Lebornio explained, “Siguro na-ano rin yung mga bata. Niremind ko sila. Yan naman talaga trabaho naming mga coaches. I-remind sila na i-remind sa tamang daan. As a mentor, kailangan ko silang turuan ng tama inside and outside the court.“
“Sabi ko sa kanila bigyan lang natin ng respeto ang kalaban. Deserve nila i-respect sila eh dahil dun din kami galing. Kung anong pinagdaanan namin, pagdadaanan ng iba, kailangan respetuhin natin sila.”
Come the fourth quarter, all UE needed to do was to sustain their control over the weary UP. A Ramos putback gave the Lady Warriors a huge lead of 58-41 midway through the period.
The Lady Warriors were sailing by this point of the game, as Chan gave them their biggest lead of the game at 62-21. In the end, UE outscored UP with a score of 69-51 after forty minutes of basketball.
Two straight wins after an opening day lost to National University had Lebornio stating it’s all about attitude. “Siguro ito learning process din para sa amin dahil hindi pwede kami mag-start ganun tapos sa dulo tsaka kami pupukpok,” concluded Lebornio.
UE’s dominance was illustrated with 37.88 percent field goal percentage compared to UP’s 30 percent. The Lady Warriors also controlled the boards better with 49 rebounds to UP’s 41. Ma. Antonia Wong led the Lady Maroons with 15 points.
Up next for UE (2-1) will be the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on September 18, 10:00AM, while UP (0-3) will play the University of Santo Tomas on September 17, 8:00AM. Both games will be at the Araneta Coliseum.
The scores:
UE (69) – Sto. Domingo 20, Chan 12, Tacula 9, Mendina 8, Requiron 6, Ramos 4, Francisco 3, Antonio 3, Gayacao 2, Strachan 2, Relova 0, Cortizano 0.
UP (51) – Wong 15, Ordoveza 13, Pesquera 9, Aliermo 7, Esplana 4, Franco 3, Bautista 0, Lapid 0, Medina 0, Ongsiako 0, Gatpatan 0, Tan 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarter scores: 16-14, 26-21, 44-35, 69-51
