After exactly five years and one day of futility, University of the East ended its 40-game skid with a commanding 65-47 victory over De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament, celebrated on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Led by the gallant performances of Jearzy Ganade, Moana Vacalares, and Aliyah Ronquillo, UE finally put an end to a losing drought that had spanned 1,081 days.
The Lady Warriors last tasted victory with a narrow 68-66 escape against the then-struggling University of the Philippines during Season 82 at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo back on September 21, 2019.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Nanalo rin kami. ‘Yon ang masarap kasi rookie team ito, talagang bago kasi lahat ng players ko, so ‘yun lang naman goal namin, ‘yung kultura ng UE maibalik namin,” expressed long-time Lady Warriors head coach Ai Lebornio. “Since day one na nag-coach ako dito, 2013, parang ‘yun yung nawala ‘eh.”
The game began with the Lady Archers striking first, taking a 3-0 lead with a three-pointer in the opening frame.
However, it quickly became clear that it would be the UE show from that point forward.
A defensive masterclass by the Lady Warriors held La Salle to a combined 14-point performance in the second and third quarters, allowing UE to take a commanding 49-32 lead heading into the final period.
Early in the fourth quarter, Ronquillo’s layup extended UE’s lead to a game-high 21 points, sealing their long-awaited first win in five years and sending the Lady Archers to their worst start since Season 80.
“I think ‘yun yung pinaka the best na nakuha namin, yung experience namin doon sa abroad. Kasi ‘yun yung gusto ko sa mga bata na ito, kahit na rookie, naniniwala kasi ako na may instinct yan ‘eh. Pag nakuha talaga nila yung laro at composure nila, lalabas at lalabas ‘yon,” Lebornio added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In her first season back after a two-year hiatus from the UAAP, Ganade led the charge in the historic win with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, complemented by six rebounds and six assists.
Lacayanga notched a double-double performance with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Ronquillo contributed 11 points and eight assists.
Looking to build on this momentum, UE aims to ignite a winning streak for the first time since Season 81, when they secured victories over University of Santo Tomas and UP to close out the eliminations.
On the other hand, this loss marked La Salle’s worst start in seven years, following defeats to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Adamson Lady Falcons, and National University Lady Bulldogs, culminating in the setback against the Lady Warriors.
Luisa San Juan led the Lady Archers in the losing effort with 14 points and five rebounds, while Patricia Mendoza added 10 points as La Salle fell to a 0-4 record.
As they look to bounce back, the Lady Archers will prepare to face the Growling Tigresses next Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
UE (65) – Ganade 15, Lacayanga 13, Ronquillo 11, Vacalares 9, Ruiz 9, Yanez 5, Kone 3, Dalguntas 0, Buscar 0, Cruz 0, Lumibao 0.
DLSU (47) – San Juan 14, Mendoza 10, Camba 4, Sario 4, Sunga 4, Rodriguez 3, Santos 2, Dela Paz 2, Paraiso 2, Delos Reyes 2, Villava-Cua 0, Catalan 0, Bacierto 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 37-26, 49-32, 65-47
