Adamson University capitalized on the suspension of Far Eastern University ace Josee Kaputu, taking a 76-63 victory to spoil Raiza Palmera-Dy’s coaching debut in the UAAP Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Cheska Apag, Elaine Etang, and Kat Agojo joined hands to turn a small three-point Lady Falcons lead in the third to 14, 53-39, thanks to a 13-2 blast.
However, MJ Manguiat went on a personal 8-1 run bridging through the final frame to cut the Lady Tamaraws’ deficit to just seven with 9:39 remaining, 47-54.
Adamson easily doused the fire created by Manguiat though as Agojo, Apag, Victoria Adeshina, and Angeline Alaba fired a 12-2 response to restore order and build an insurmountable 17-point margin with 5:58 to go, 66-49.
“For us talaga first game is always the hardest game you’ll ever play in any tournament. There are some jitters, and excitement. Winning our first game, yun nga yung nakalagay sa dugout namin we want to make a statement on our first game,” said second-year Lady Falcons head coach Ryan Monteclaro.
Kaputu, the Congolese center and MVP runner-up last season, did not play as she served her suspension stemming from the final game of last season, where she committed an unsportsmanlike foul. She would be available next game.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Apag shone for the Lady Falcons with an all-around display of 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals while being a game-high plus-22 in her 24 minutes.
Nigerian center Victoria Adeshina also feasted inside with Kaputu not around, grabbing 16 rebounds while scoring 10 points.
Elaine Etang also had a complete game of nine points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Adamson looks to make it two wins in a row on Wednesday when it meets De La Salle University at 11:30 a.m. at the same venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Joann Nagma, now in her junior year, paced the Lady Tamaraws with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and five steals.
Manguiat contributed 13 points, while Shane Salvani added 12 in the loss.
FEU seeks to enter the win column on Saturday against National University, also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
AdU 76 – Apag 17, Adeshina 10, Etang 9, Alogo 7, Angela Alaba 7, Padilla 6, Angeline Alaba 6, Meniano 5, Ornopia 4, Mazo 2, Bajo 2, Trabado 1, Limbago 0, Cortez 0, Santos 0, Manlimos 0.
FEU 63 – Nagma 14, Manguiat 13, Salvani 12, Pasilang 8, Paras 4, Lopez 3, Villanueva 3, Dela Torre 2, Libor 2, Ong 2.
Quarterscores: 12-14, 33-27, 54-44, 76-63
