Following their tight loss against the University of the East Lady Warriors, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws were out to prove that they weren’t having a false start to their UAAP Season 80 Women’s Basketball Tournament campaign.
Only a win would do and the Lady Tamaraws held on against the then-undefeated Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles for a 64-58 victory today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Valerie Mamaril, Precious Arellado and Camllie Taguiam led the Morayta school with 16, 15 and 11 points respectively. Angelica Gerner also had five points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Tamaraws.
“Nag-improve defense namin eh,” commented FEU head coach Bert Flores. “Sa ngayon hindi namin iniisip ang offense namin eh lalo na ngayon… Sabi nga namin na kung maliliit lang tayo, gamitin na natin ang depensa.”
After three close quarters which ended 43-39, FEU finally got some breathing space from the Katipunan school when two charities from Arellado to make it 61-54 at the 1:40 mark of the final period.
Ateneo retaliated courtesy of Katrina Guytingco who scored four straight points to single-handedly cut the deficit to 58-61 with only 21.1 seconds left in the game.
FEU called for time and sealed the victory when Mamaril converted three freebies to seal the 64-58 victory against Ateneo.
The Lady Tamaraws had 22 fastbreak points compared to Ateneo’s 11. Flores’ wards also had 54 rebounds against Ateneo’s 41.
“At least meron laking help like Taguiam. Kasi si Arellado lang last year eh siya lang mag-isa tapos nag-improve na rin yung Mamaril. Meron na kaming 2-3 point guards na nakakarotate kami,” added Flores.
Hazelle Yam led the Lady Eagles with 20 points while Tina Deacon and Guytingco chipped in 11 and 19 respectively.
FEU (2-1) will next play University of Santo Tomas on September 23, 10:00 AM while Ateneo’s (2-1) next assignment is a duel with University of the East on September 24, 8:00 AM. Both games shall be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
FEU (64) – Mamaril 16, Arellado 15, Taguiam 11, Jumuad 7, Gerner 5, Antiola 3, Bastatas 2, Balleser 2, Okunlola 0, Ouano 0, De Guzman 0.
ADMU (58) – Yam 20, Deacon 11, Guytingco 10, Buendia 6, Go 4, Joson 4, Newsome 3, Uy De Ong 0, Cancio 0, Villamor 0.
Quarterscores: 14-21, 30-33, 43-39, 64-58.
