After their debacle against the University of the East Lady Warriors, the Adamson University Lady Falcons knew the pressure was on to set things right and reignite their push for a Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
In a win by the narrowest of margins, the Lady Falcons survived the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 55-54, today at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo de Manila University.
“We know na bago lang kaming magkakasama na ako yung head coach so nag-a-adjust pa talaga pero I know hindi sila bibigay until the last second kasi they want this win para may kaunting pull pa kami sa Final Four,” shared Adamson mentor John Kallos.
Nathalia Prado led Adamson with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Kathleen Araja and Jamie Alcoy followed her lead with 11 points each.
A Ladyrose Rosario three provided Adamson a 46-38 cushion at the end of the third quarter, and the lead ballooned midway through the fourth period to 54-44 thanks to Araja’s jumper.
However, the Lady Falcons failed to maintain their intensity, and succumbed to an 11-1 Lady Tamaraws rally started by Precious Arellado’s basket to trim the deficit to 54-55 with 37.9 seconds left.
Adamson failed to convert in their next possession and was left to hold off the threat of an FEU comeback. The Lady Falcons managed to eat some precious seconds and force ball possession, which remained in FEU’s hands.
Fortunately for Adamson, FEU failed to setup their offense properly and allowed the former to win 55-54 for their second win of the season.
“Sa practice pa lang talagang gusto (ng players) manalo eh, gustong-gusto nila. So nung nagkaroon ng momentum ang FEU, sabi ko na lang sa kanila nagtrabaho na tayo bakit pa tayo bibigay,” explained Kallos.
The Lady Falcons forced 39 turnovers from the Lady Tamaraws which allowed Adamson to score 21 points.
Arellado top-scored for FEU with 14 points. Joannah Ouano and Valerie Mamaril followed suit with 11 and 10 respectively. Princess Jumuad got 11 rebounds for FEU.
Adamson (2-4) still have one more game in the first round against the University of the Philippines on October 7, 10:00 AM, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. On the other hand, FEU (3-4) await their next assignment in the second round.
The Scores:
AdU (55) – Prado 18, Araja 11, Alcoy 11, Lacson 5, Camacho 3, Rosario 3, Villanueva 2, Cabug 1, Tacitac 1, Aciro 0, Cacho 0.
FEU (54) – Arellado 14, Ouano 11, Mamaril 10, Jumuad 6, Balleser 6, Gerner 2, Quiapo 2, Taguiam 2, Bahuyan 1, Bastatas 0, De Guzman 0, Antiola 0.
Quarterscores: 15-9, 31-24, 46-38, 55-54.
