Basketball’s most basic rule is that height means might.
The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws banked on center Clare Castro’s presence in the paint to defeat the University of the East Lady Warriors, 52-34, this afternoon at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Castro paced the Morayta school with 13 points and 13 rebounds, followed by veterans Fatima Quiapo and Valerie Mamaril, who scored 12 and 11 points against a UE squad that lost the likes of Ruthlaine Tacula and Love Sto. Domingo in the off-season.
FEU coach Bert Flores recounted how his team’s duel with UE in the pre-season helped them prevail today. “Na-execute namin yung press break namin. At least pagdating ng half court, nabigyan namin yung bigs namin. Bumabalik na si Clare Castro namin. Sa lahat ng Filipina ngayon, siya na pinakamalaking basketball player.”
The Lady Tamaraws were ruthless right from the start. Elaisa Adriano helped FEU accrue a huge 30-11 margin by halftime, with a last-second three to close the second quarter.
UE failed to respond after the break, and the Lady Warriors’ hands were just too cold throughout the game. Two consecutive Quiapo threes provided Flores’ team with a 36-19 separation which all but sealed the win in favor of FEU.
That lead ballooned at 44-25 early in the fourth quarter thanks to another Quiapo three, and the Lady Tamaraws enjoyed their biggest lead in the ballgame at 52-32 in the match’s final seconds through Daphne Payadon’s basket.
FEU’s starters were simply too much for UE, as the former were able to score 41 points compared to 21 for the latter. Outside shooting was also key, as the Lady Tamaraws shot 28.57 percent from the perimeter versus the Lady Warriors’ 3.85 percent. Lastly, FEU moved the ball better with 15 assists, while UE only had five.
The Lady Tamaraws sunk 10 out of 20 from the charity line, while the Lady Warriors converted three out of seven free throws.
Anna Requiron led UE with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Dianne Pedregosa and Anne Pedregosa got 12 rebounds each for the Lady Warriors.
Flores emphasized that a winning start bodes well for his team, and he was under no illusion as to that the Lady Tamaraws are after this season. “Kulang kami sa rotation talaga. Final Four pa rin siguro yung goal sa amin ngayon.”
FEU (1-0) and UE (0-1) shall next play on September 19 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. FEU face the Adamson University Lady Falcons at 8:00 AM, while UE go up against De La Salle University Lady Archers afterwards at 10:00 AM.
The Scores:
FEU 52 – Castro 13, Quiapo 12, Mamaril 11, Taguiam 5, Bahuyan 4, Adriano 3, Antiola 2, Payadon 2, Bastatas 0, Hortaleza 0, Vidal 0, Abat 0, Dugay 0, Rebleza 0, Antonio 0.
UE 34 – Requiron 11, Cortizano 6, Pedregosa 6, Strachan 3, Pedregosa 2, Francisco 2, Ganade 2, Cuadero 2, Borromeo 0, Nama 0.
Quarterscores: 10-8, 30-19, 41-25, 52-34.
