With a Final Four ticket already sealed, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws gave exposure to every student-athlete on their roster. Still, it proved to be enough, as the lady cagers from Morayta were able to eke out a 69-60 win over the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, Saturday morning at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
“Maganda ang panalo na ito para sa amin papunta sa playoffs,” said Lady Tamaraws head coach Bert Flores. “Kailangan ready lang yung mga players ko every time ipasok ko sila.”
Isabel Balleser had an efficient outing going 7-for-9 from the field for 16 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals. But it was skipper Precious Arellado who helped the Lady Tamaraws break away from the Lady Eagles late.
Arellado, who is in her final year of duty, scored nine of her 11 points in the final quarter — majority of which came from the foul stripe — to seal off Ateneo. Moreover, FEU were able to stop the Ateneo troika of Hazelle Yam, Tina Deacon, and Jhazmin Joson on the other end.
The Lady Tamaraws will enter the playoffs with an even 7-7 slate, winning five of their last six contests.
If the NU Lady Bulldogs defeat the University of the East Lady Warriors over at the Filoil Flying V Centre, the Lady Tamaraws will take on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses in a do-or-die game on Wednesday, November 15. If otherwise, FEU face UE with a twice-to-beat disadvantage.
Fatima Quiapo chipped in eight markers off the bench, while Prince Jumuad, Valeria Mamaril, and foreign student-athlete Yetunde Okunlola added seven markers each. Flores fielded in 14 players in the contest.
Hazelle Yam paced the Lady Eagles with 13 markers and five assists.
The quintet of Tina Deacon, Melissa Newsome, Jonette Uy De Ong, Nicole Cancio, and Bianca Veloso played their final games for Ateneo.
Ateneo finished the season with a 4-10 record, good for sixth.
The Scores:
FEU (60) – Balleser 16, Arellado 11, Quiapo 8, Jumuad 7, Mamaril 7, Okunlola 7, Gerner 5, Antiola 3, Ouano 3, Bahuyan 2, Adriano 0, Bastatas 0, De Guzman 0, Payadon 0.
ADMU (60) – Yam 13, Deacon 8, Go 7, Villamor 6, Aquisap 5, Joson 5, Newsome 4, Uy De Ong 4, Chu 3, Cancio 2, Guytingco 2, Payac 1, Buendia 0, Morelos 0, Veloso 0.
Quarterscores: 16-15, 31-31, 41-43, 69-60.
