Clare Castro was just a mountain too high for the De La Salle University Lady Archers.
Behind Castro’s 39 points, 19 rebounds, and three blocks, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws shut down the Lady Archers, 77-62, Saturday morning at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
“Kailangan talaga namin itong game na ito so talagang nag-hard work ako,” shared the 6-foot-4 center. “Thankful ako sa teammates ko kasi sila naman ang nagbibigay ng bola sa akin. Teamwork talaga ito.”
FEU relied on Castro’s ceiling alongside assistance from Valerie Mamaril to crush La Salle’s resistance. They were also aided by the Lady Archers’ dismal shooting from the field. The Lady Tamaraws’ defense 0 as well as the Lasallians’ lack of a finishing touch – limited the latter to a 33.33 field goal shooting percentage.
The result elevates FEU’s standing to 7-3 in the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Basketball Tournament, and is the Lady Tamaraws’ gift to their mentor Bert Flores, who celebrated his 50th birthday today.
“Galing kami sa talo against UST… Goal namin is Final Four. Gusto namin mag number two. Hindi mo na kailangan yung number one. Wala na eh. Habulin mo na lang sana is yung (may) twice-to-beat (advantage) ka,” commented Flores.
From a 10-point cushion by halftime, the Lady Tamaraws continuously pounded the Lady Archers in the paint and achieved their highest lead of the ballgame at 73-52, thanks to Claro, with 3:00 remaining
“Against La Salle, match-up naman as a team (pero) mamomoblema sila kay Clare Castro,” added Flores. “Sabi ko binigyan tayo ng advantage. ‘Pag sa height, pareho tayo, parehong talent (dahil may) Castillo sila (at) may Mamaril tayo. Kaya lang problema nila, meron tayong malaki kaya gamitin natin itong height advantage.””
Mamaril followed Castro’s example with 10 markers and five dimes. Fatima Quiapo and Blanche Bahuran contributed six points each together, with 12 rebounds and four assists and 10 rebounds and five assists respectively.
On the other hand, Angel Quingo had a 13 points and 12 rebounds for La Salle, while Johanna Arciga dropped 18 points for the Green and White. Khate Castillo produced 14 points and seven boards as well.
La Salle suffered their third straight loss in the second round, and now have a 5-5 record. Green Archers coach Cholo Villanueva was present in the game, as his suspension had been rescinded beforehand.
FEU (7-3) shall next play against the University of the East Lady Warriors on November 4, 8:00 AM, while La Salle (5-5) play a day earlier against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons at 10:00 AM. The Ynares Center in Antipolo will host both games.
The Scores:
FEU (77) – Castro 39, Mamaril 10, Quiapo 6, Bahuyan 6, Antiola 6, Adriano 6, Taguiam 4, Bastatas 0, Vidal 0, Hortaleza 0, Dugay 0.
DLSU (62) – Arciga 18, Castillo 14, Quingco 13, Claro 9, Del Ocampo 2, Paraiso 2, Revillosa 2, Jimenez 2, Torres 0, Nunez 0.
Quarterscores: 25-18, 38-28, 57-45, 77-62.
