De La Salle University maintained its push for a playoff incentive with an 86-67 win over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament, Saturday, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
With the win, the Lady Archers improved to a 10-2 record in second place, gaining a full-game lead over University of Santo Tomas who lost to National University earlier in the day.
And La Salle got the victory without Cholo Villanueva as he was calling the shots for Batangas-Embassy Chill in the ongoing MPBL Southern Division Finals.
“Speechless kase siyempre parang first time komag coach sa UAAP,” said lead assistant JR Aquino. “I’m very excited to be in this situation. Kudos to the girls.
“They really played well. They really played their hearts out. Even if we’re without our head coach, si coach Cholo, coach Cholo instilled the system nang maayos and yun lang ang ginawa namin,” he continued.
Leading 59-41 off a Bettina Binaohan basket at the 6:06 mark of the third quarter, the Lady Archers saw their cushion trimmed to just 72-65 thanks to Kaye Pesquera’s three with 6:56 to go in the fourth quarter.
However, La Salle locked down on defense, regaining control with a 86-67 lead off a Bea Dalisay three with 1:06 left in the contest.
Binaohan led the Lady Archers with 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals while Dalisay contributed 15 points and five assists.
Lee Sario had 15 points for La Salle while Fina Niantcho Tchuido produced 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Ameng Torres also delivered six points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals for the Green and White.
La Salle shot better from the perimeter with 47 points to State U’s 31. The Lady Archers also moved the ball better with 25 assists to the Fighting Maroons’ 16.
“Recover muna from this game then back to the gameplan after two days to prepare for NU,” added Aquino as they face the defending champions on Wednesday at 11:00 AM.
On the other hand, UP fell to fifth place with a 5-7 record, a full game behind fourth-running Ateneo.
Christie Bariquit led the Fighting Maroons with 18 points and six rebounds while Pesquera had 14 points.
Justine Domingo flirted with a triple-double for UP with nine points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists along with three steals.
Both teams will return to action on Wednesday at the same venue.
State U goes up against University of Santo Tomas at 9:00 AM while La Salle takes on defending champions National University at 11:00 AM.
The Scores:
La Salle (86) – Binaohan 21, Dalisay 15, Sario 15, Niantcho Tchuido 12, Torres 6, Ahmed 6, De La Paz 5, Jimenez 2, Arciga 2, Camba 2, Espinas 0, Castillo 0, Villava-Cua 0, San Juan 0
UP (67) – Bariquit 18, Pesquera 14, Domingo 9, Sanchez 9, Lozada 6, Tapawan 5, Rivera 2, Maw 2, Vingno 2, Gonzales 0, Larrosa 0, Sauz 0, Lebico 0.
Quarterscores: 21-25, 51-35, 68-55, 86-67
