By: Joaquin Cortez
Far Eastern University came back from 15 points down and outlasted the University of the Philippines in overtime, 74-67, to open the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament with its best start in eight years on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
With 20 seconds left in regulation, FEU had chances to put the game away, but Elaine Patio and Amyah Espanol combined to go just 1-of-4 from the charity stripe down the stretch, giving UP enough breathing room.
The Fighting Maroons made FEU pay on the ensuing possession, as Shanina Tapawan converted a clutch layup to knot the game at 65-all.
Victoria Pasilang then had a chance to seal the win, but her game-winning midrange jumper at the buzzer fell short, sending the game into overtime.
FEU finally pulled away in the extra period, outscoring the Fighting Maroons, 9-2, with Erica Lopez sealing the game from the line to complete the Lady Tamaraws’ comeback.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Every game is a championship game for us. We know that it would be harder and harder as we go along the way, but I am making sure that they are physically prepared and mentally prepared,” said FEU’s third-year head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy.
“We just focused on our strengths and their weaknesses. So, doon lang sa X’s and O’s. We have a list of options din sa offense na we kind of tweaked a little bit coming to this game. Thankfully, it worked,” she added.
The last time the Lady Tamaraws started 2-0 was in 2018, when the Morayta-based squad last reached the Finals.
FEU carried its comeback charge into the final frame, holding UP scoreless for four minutes as Patio knocked down a free throw to cut the deficit to three, 53-50. UP, however, had answers, rebuilding its cushion to nine with three minutes left.
The Lady Tamaraws then erased the deficit in a flash, stringing together 10 unanswered points before Pasilang’s hook shot gave FEU its first lead with 1:06 remaining, 64-63.
“We prepared so much for this, and we sacrificed a lot for these two games. We know, and we’re confident po going into these two games na we can do the right thing and get this win,” Patio said. “Because of these two games, nagbibigay lang si coach ng kumpiyansa sa amin. So for us, we just have to continue to do the right thing and follow ‘yung gusto ni Coach Raiza.”
Five Lady Tamaraws scored in double digits, led by Shane Salvani with 17 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Patio added 16 points and seven boards.
Pasilang chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds, while Lopez and Espanol finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Five players from the Fighting Maroons also scored in double figures, with Blessing Francis and Kennan Ka finishing with 12 points each. Tiani Abrams added 11 points and six boards, followed by Kaye Pesquera and Tapawan, who each had 10 points.
The Fighting Maroons dropped to 1-1 under new head coach Eric Altamirano.
The Lady Tamaraws will take on Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 12 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, while the Fighting Maroons will next face Adamson University on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
FEU 74 – Salvani 17, Patio 16, Pasilang 15, Lopez 13, Espanol 11, Dela Torre 2, Gavaran 0, Agcambot 0, Escarez 0, Kant 0.
UP 67 – Francis 12, Ka 12, Abrams 11, Tapawan 10, Pesquera 10, Nolasco 5, Ozar 4, Cunanan 3, Maw 0, Vingno 0, Loon 0.
Quarterscores: 9-20, 28-39, 43-53, 65-65, 74-67.
