Kaye Pesquera made up for lost time as the University of the Philippines dismantled the University of the East, 81-67, to snap an eight-game skid in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
After missing the Fighting Maroons’ last eight games due to a left knee injury, Pesquera made an immediate impact, scoring nine points on 4-of-6 shooting, including making her first three attempts. She also contributed four rebounds, one assist, and one steal as UP improved to a 3-8 record, keeping their slim Final Four hopes alive.
Fueled by Pesquera’s return, the triumph brought the Fighting Maroons closer to the joint fourth-placers — Adamson University Lady Falcons, De La Salle University Lady Archers, and Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (all 4-6) — with three games remaining in the elimination round.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“I think this win is because of [Kaye Pesquera]. During the first and second quarter, siya yung naging leader namin inside the court. It changed the confidence level,” UP head coach Paul Ramos said.
“Yung kay Kaye, tinitiming talaga namin dahil it was very unfortunate that during the last few weeks before the season started, she incurred some knee pains. Talagang strategic na strategic kung kailan namin siya papalaruin,” he added.
Tied at 24-all in the second quarter, Pesquera combined with Camille Nolasco, Louna Ozar, and Marielle Vingno to spark a pivotal 21-9 run. Vingno capped things off with a four-point spurt to give the Fighting Maroons a comfortable 12-point, 45-33 halftime lead.
That second-quarter surge proved decisive, as a Rhea Solitario floater and a four-point swing by Achrissa Maw punctuated UP’s 15-4 run. That pushed UE into a 21-point hole at 72-52 heading into the final period.
The Lady Warriors refused to back down, opening the fourth quarter with an 11-2 rally to cut the deficit to 12 points at 74-62 with 4:38 left. However, the Fighting Maroons held firm, as the quartet of Maw, Ozar, Nolasco, and Alex Mendoza took turns finishing off UE with a 7-2 counter run, restoring a 17-point, 81-64 lead with 1:05 remaining.
Nolasco finished with 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting, adding four rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Maw recorded a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and one block.
Ozar flirted with a triple-double, tallying 10 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, and four blocks, while Mendoza contributed 10 points, three assists, and one steal.
With significant Final Four implications on the line, the Fighting Maroons will next face the Adamson University Lady Falcons on Sunday, November 16, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the loss extended UE’s misery to 21 straight games, dating back to a first-round triumph over the De La Salle University Lady Archers in Season 87 on September 22, 2024.
Syvil Oñate paced UE with a game-high 24 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Rachel Lacayanga added 14 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
The Lady Warriors will aim to break their streak against the unbeaten and Final Four-bound University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses on Wednesday, November 12, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Scores:
UP (81) – Nolasco 16, Maw 12, Ozar 10, Mendoza 10, Pesquera 9, Solitario 9, Vingno 7, Cunanan 6, Barba 2, Tapawan 0, Castro 0, Mejasco 0, Catequista 0.
UE (67) – Oñate 24, Lacayanga 14, Buscar 8, Vacalares 7, Yañez 4, Ronquillo 3, Gullim 2, Lumibao 2, Dalguntas 0, Trinidad 1, Ramos 0, Salise 0, Delig 0, Gomez 0.
Quarterscores: 21-13, 45-33, 72-51, 81-67.
