After absorbing two straight setbacks — that included a 76-56 loss to the NU Lady Bulldogs — the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws were able to bounce back in a big way, hammering the hapless University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 84-48, Saturday morning at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
“Malakas yung nakalaban namin. At least tumaas confidence namin sa larong ito pero bawal na kaming matalo. Sana tumaas na yung level namin after this,” shared Lady Tamaraws head coach Bert Flores.
The win lifted the Lady Tamaraws’ slate to 4-5, half a game ahead of the Adamson Lady Falcons for fourth.
The Lady Maroons, on the other hand, have dropped their ninth straight game. Their last win came at the expense of the Lady Tamaraws a season ago — November 9, 2016 to be exact.
Knowing that this would be a walk in the park, Flores rotated 12 players from his roster in the opening frame. And even FEU’s third-stringers did not let up in the final frame, as late baskets by seldom-used Paula De Guzman, Crisa Adriano, and Daphne Payodon gave FEU a game-high 36-point lead to close out the game.
“Kailangan talaga, kung sino ipasok namin, aggressive pa rin. Kaya nga namin sila pinasok eh para mapakita sa kanila na kasama sila sa rotation,” added Flores.
Valerie Mamaril led FEU in the scoring department with 19 points on 7-for-17 shooting. But it was Isabel Balleser who glued things together for the Lady Tams, scoring 14 points on an efficient 60 percent shooting clip to go along with 12 rebounds and four steals.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, kailangan maging consistent siya. Di naman puwedeng dalawang wing lang, kailangan nandun siya lagi para sa amin,” the veteran mentor remarked about Balleser, who played just 20 minutes in the contest.
FEU were ahead of UP in all statistical categories, including a 52-35 rebounding edge that led to a 24-2 advantage in second chance points.
Pesky Pesquera was the sole bright spot for the Lady Maroons, a team that shot just 35 percent from the field. Pesquera finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Lady Tamaraws look to sustain their streak when they face the Adamson University Lady Falcons on Wednesday, October 25, at 9:00am. UP take on the University of the East Lady Warriors on the same day at 11:00am. Both games will be played at the Blue Eagles Gym in Quezon City.
The Scores:
FEU (84) – Mamaril 19, Balleser 14, Taguiam 9, Antiola 7, Ouano 6, Quiapo 6, Arellado 4, Jumuad 4, Adriano 3, De Guzman 3, Okunlola 3, Bahuyan 2, Gerner 2, Payadon 2, Bastatas 0.
UP (48) – Pesquera 15, Ordoveza 8, Esplana 8, Isip 8, Domingo 6, Rodas 2, Cruz 1, Bascon 0, Amar 0, Gatpatan 0, Medina 0, Lapid 0, Ongsiako 0, Tan K. 0, Viray 0, Tan S. 0.
Quarterscores: 17-11, 39-17, 62-31, 84-48.
