Straight from their heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles vented all their frustrations on the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons with a 63-51 victory, Sunday morning at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The result ends the Lady Eagles’ six-game losing streak and elevates their tally to a 3-6 record in the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Cara Buendia led the Lady Eagles with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Katrina Guytingco flirted with a double-double of her own with 12 markers and nine boards alongside four assists. Jolina Go also provided 13 points, while Jhazmin Joson contributed six assists.
“The important thing is that we lessened the turnovers. That’s the most important thing. That’s basically it and our energy was up,” commented Ateneo head coach John Flores.
Buendia lit the way for the Lady Eagles throughout the contest. Her presence inside the paint was a nuisance for the Lady Maroons’ defense, and it was her two charities that gave the Lady Eagles a commanding 25-8 cushion early in the fourth quarter.
“That’s expected,” opined Flores on Buendia’s showing. “We’ve been expecting that from her for a long time. I think she should start getting used to it and play a notch higher than that.”
Guytingco then widened that separation between Ateneo and UP when her underhand stab at the 5:36 mark of the final frame provided the Lady Eagles their highest lead of the ballgame at 58-36.
The Lady Eagles defense forced the Lady Maroons to commit 26 turnovers, which in turn led to 17 points. Ateneo also moved the ball better this morning with 16 dimes compared to State U’s 8.
As for UP, Danielle De Guzman’s double-double showing of 11 markers and 10 boards all went for naught. The result still leaves UP winless this season and also extends their losing streak to 26 games coming from Season 79.
“UE likes to run a lot. They like to press so the important thing is to contain their transition game and to lessen our turnovers,” concluded Flores.
Ateneo (3-6) resume their campaign against the University of the East Lady Warriors on October 27, 11:00 AM at the FilOil Flying V Centre. On the other hand, UP (0-8) play the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses on October 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Scores:
ADMU (63) – Buendia 14, Go 13, Guytingco 12, Nimes 8, Joson 4, Villamor 3, Gino-Gino 3, Chu 2, Payac 2, De Dios 2, Newsome 0, Cancio 0, Quirante 0, Moslares 0, Aquisap 0, Miranda 0.
UP (51) – De Guzman 11, Ordoveza 9, Amar 8, Cruz 8, Rodas 4, Gonzales 3, Bascon 2, Medina 2, De Leon 2, Moa 2, Ferrer 0, Hidalgo 0, Larrosa 0, Rivera 0.
Quarterscores: 21-8, 37-23, 52-34, 63-51.
