The cast of the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Basketball Tournament post-season is complete, as the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws trounced the De La Salle University Lady Archers, 63-61, Wednesday afternoon at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
The Adamson University’s loss to the University of the East earlier in the day gave FEU the perfect motivation to beat La Salle today, and the Lady Tamaraws delivered in overtime.
“Nung overtime natalo kami against UE. Kaya sabi ko finish natin ito. Motivation lang yan,” commented FEU coach Bert Flores.
Princess Jumuad and Precious Arellado led the Lady Tamaraws with 13 and 12 points respectively, while Angelica Gerner seized 15 boards for the FEU cause.
Both teams engaged in a shootout all throughout the contest, and it looked like that the Lady Tamaraws finally pulled away from the Lady Archers thanks to Arellado’s basket, which gave FEU a 44-38 edge early in the final period.
But La Salle trimmed the deficit to 46-47 after Khate Castillo scored, but failed to swing momentum to their side after Angelika Figueroa missed her charities in the Lady Archers’ next possession.
Arellado then converted two free throws at the other end to give FEU a 49-46 edge with 11.4 seconds left.
Down 46-49, La Salle called for a timeout, and FEU failed to mark Castillo, who sunk in the three which forced overtime.
Nevertheless, the Lady Tamaraws were ready for an overtime game today compared to their previous assignment against UE. A Nina Antiola three provided FEU a 61-55 cushion with 1:26 left in the period.
But La Salle just wouldn’t surrender, as Castillo sunk two straight threes to level the ballgame at 61-61 with just 12.4 seconds left.
Ultimately, it was FEU’s game to win, and Arellado was the one who fittingly sealed the 63-61 victory and the post-season ticket with a drive to the hoop. “At least sa Final Four, meron tayong baon na confidence,” declared Flores.
Rebounds won the game for FEU. The Lady Tamaraws had 55 boards, 17 of which came on the offensive end, while the Lady Archers only got 45 and 6 respectively.
Lady Archers sharpshooter Castillo finished with 27 points, spiked by seven triples.
The two schools shall next play on November 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. FEU (7-6) will go up against the Ateneo de Manila University at 8:00 AM, while La Salle (2-11) hope to end their season with a win versus the University of the Philippines at 10:00 AM.
The Scores:
FEU (63) – Jumuad 13, Arellado 12, Mamaril 8, Quiapo 7, Antiola 6, Balleser 6, Gerner 4, Bastatas 4, Taguiam 3, Ouano 0, Okunlola 0, Bahuyan 0, Payadon 0.
DLSU (61) – Castillo 27, Vergara 9, Javier 6, Dagdagad 6, Nunez 6, Figueroa 5, Oaraiso 2, Jimenez 0, Torres 0, Del Campo 0.
Quarterscores: 8-16, 24-25, 40-35, 49-49, 63-61.
