Three days ago, Nathalie Prado played limited minutes for the Adamson University Lady Falcons due to a wound above her left eye. With her out for long stretches in the game, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses routed the Lady Falcons.
Sunday morning, however, a healthy Prado produced 16 points and 17 rebounds to lead Adamson in its 61-49 victory over the University of the East Lady Warriors at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
“Si Mar Prado equipped na yun to play. Alam niyo naman nung last game namin tinamaan (siya). Hindi ko siya nagamit, last fourth quarter na (lang). Alam din ng lahat na isa siya sa key players ko. Isa siya sa kumbaga sa fire sa team. Nakakatulong para buhayin ang team,” shared first-year Adamson head coach Ewon Arayi.
The Lady Falcons were on fire in the first half and a lot of that had to do with Jamie Alcoy who scored 10 points in the two early frames. Adamson raced to a 16-6 edge after the first quarter and the veteran guard extended it to 26-14 via a three-point play at the 3:55 mark of the second period.
Down 22-30 by the halftime break, the Lady Warriors roared back into the contest nearly halfway through the third quarter. Joyce Fransisco converted five straight points to cap off an 11-5 run and trim the deficit to 33-35.
However, Adamson retaliated in impressive fashion. Prado’s charity ignited an 13-0 sequence that disintegrated the Lady Warriors’ hard work. Nathalie Razalo’s basket with only a minute left in the third period handed the San Marcelino school a 48-33 cushion going into the final frame.
There was no UE counterattack this time around and Camacho’s three allowed Adamson to enjoy its biggest lead of the ballgame at 58-40 and virtually seal the win with 5:06 remaining on the game clock.
The Lady Falcons’ defense came big in this 61-49 win as it forced the Lady Warriors to lose the ball 26 times which in turn led to 17 points. Adamson also shot slightly better from the perimeter with 14 markers compared to UE’s six.
Jo Razalo followed Prado’s lead with 10 points and 12 rebounds while Jamie Alcoy provided bench support with 12 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Floor general Kath Araja steadied the ship with six dimes.
“Hindi pa rin ito yung ineexpect ko na lalaruin ng mga bata actually pero maraming salamat pa rin sa Panginoon dahil naibigay namin yung panalo na kailangan naming baon para sa laro namin sa NU,” commented the Philippine basketball legend.
Christine Cortizano paced UE with 11 points while Princess Pedregosa had a monster game with 10 points and 19 rebounds. Anne Pedregosa provided 10 points while Anna Requiron aided the Lady Warriors’ cause with 14 rebounds.
Adamson (2-2) shall next play reigning champions National University Lady Bulldogs on October 3, 10:00 AM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. On the other hand, UE (1-4) shall resume its campaign against NU as well on October 6, 3:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Scores:
AdU (61) – Prado 16, Camacho 13, Alcoy 12, Razalo 10, Rosario 6, Araja 2, Bilbao 2, Aciro 0, Cacho 0, Cabug 0, Osano 0, Tandaan 0.
UE (49) – Cortizano 11, Pedregosa P 10, Pedregosa A 10, Francisco 8, Requiron 4, Ganade 4, Strachan 2, Nama 0, Cuadero 0, Borromeo 0.
Quarterscores: 16-6, 30-22, 48-33, 61-49.
