Straight from their opening day loss against defending champions National University, the University of the East were eager to barge in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Basketball Tournament win column.
The Lady Warriors managed this in another close encounter, as they prevailed 59-56 against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, Wednesday morning at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Eunique Chan and Love Sto. Domingo led UE, scoring 19 and 12 points respectively. Both grabbed nine rebounds as well.
“Siyempre a win is a win. Siyempre masaya kami na nanalo kami. Pero siyempre napakapangit ng pinakita ng mga bata. Hindi ito yung pinaghandaan namin in two days preparation namin,” lamented UE coach Aileen Lebornio.
It was FEU who started the game brighter. The Lady Tamaraws earned a 10-17 separation at the end of the first quarter. That lead was extended early in the second period after an Isabel Balleser freebie gave the Morayta school a 16-26 edge from the Lady Warriors.
After Balleser’s free throw, though, came the UE bombardment. The Lady Warriors ignited a 14-0 run capped off by Jeivie Nama’s trey to erect a 30-28 lead. UE eventually entered the break with a slim 31-30 lead, while the break couldn’t come sooner for FEU.
UE continued their momentum in the third period. Down 33-36, Love Sto. Domingo scored four straight points to commence a 16-4 run that gave the Lady Warriors a 49-40 advantage at the end of the quarter.
Come the final period, FEU went on another run to cut the deficit to just 54-56 with 3:12 left in the clock. Arellado produced four straight points to end the 7-14 swing to shift the momentum towards the Lady Tamaraws.
Down 56-57 with only 1:16 left, the Lady Tamaraws had ball possession. However, the Lady Warriors’ tight defense prevented any basket and even allowed Tacula to breakaway to make it 59-56 with 44.1 seconds remaining.
“Yun yung sinabi ko naman sa kanila nung nag simula (ang season). Hindi lang tayo puro opensa lang, kailangan dumipensa tayo. Kung hindi man tayo dumipensa almost ilang quarter, itong last 1:30 kailangan dumipensa tayo kase yun ang magpapanalo sa atin,” concluded Lebornio.
FEU failed to find an answer, and UE emerged victors with a 59-56 win to kickstart their campaign.
Precious Arellado led FEU with 29 points, while Balleser made 10 markers.
Additionally, UE out-rebounded FEU with 52 vs the latter’s 33.
Both schools shall play on September 17 in Araneta. UE (1-1) shall face the University of the Philippines at 10:00 AM while FEU (1-1) will take on the Ateneo de Manila University earlier at 8:00 AM.
The Scores:
UE 59 – Chan 19, Sto. Domingo 12, Tacula 8, Nawa 6, Strachan 5, Francisco 4, Gayacao 2, Ramos 2, Cortizano 1, Requiron 0, Antonio 0.
FEU 56 – Arellado 29, Balleser 10, Mamaril 6, Bastatas 5, Quiapo 3, Jumuad, Payadon 1, Gerner 0, Taguiam 0, Ouano 0, Okunlola 0.
Quarterscores: 10-17, 31-30, 49-40, 59-56.
