Tacula leads Lady Warriors to outlast Lady Falcons in overtime

Ruthlaine Tacula led a second half surge by the University of the East Warriors to force overtime and eventually take home their second win, 54-52, against the Adamson University Lady Falcons, Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Adamson had led by as much as 10 points in the halfway point of the third quarter, but UE’s Tacula and Love Joy Sto. Doming led a third quarter surge that brought the Lady Warriors to 34-39 heading into the final quarter. UE would continue to surge froward, resulting in a 48-48 draw by the final minute, thanks to a 3-pointer by Tacula. A turnover by Adamson’s Zhalyn Mateo in the next play gave UE possession of the ball, however Danice Llosala would travel to give Adamson back the ball. Adamson would miss shots in the dying seconds, resulting in the first overtime extension for any basketball game in the season.

Overtime would see UE retaking the lead for the first time since the end of the first quarter thanks to a fastbreak by Tacula. The final minutes of the period saw UE and Adamson struggle at the free-throw line, eventually leading to a 54-52 edge for the Lady Warriors. Tacula would force a jumpball with no possession arrow with 3.2 seconds left, destroying Adamson’s chances of building another game-saving play. UE would force another jumpball with 0.9 seconds in the clock to secure the win.

Ruthlaine Tacula had 13 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in a masterful performance that won UE their second game. Love Joy Sto. Domingo also contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds, but was sidelined in overtime, having taken two bad falls in the game after being fouled. Zhalyn Mateo and Jingky Balasta had 14 points each for the Lady Falcons. Both UE and Adamson are currently at 2-3 in the Women’s Basketball Standings.