After the De La Salle University Lady Archers were upset by the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 62-66, the University of the East Lady Warriors regained the initiative to push for second place in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball standings.
The Recto school did so in impressive fashion, as they defeated the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 53-39, today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. UE are now just one game behind La Salle (8-2) in the standings.
Love Sto. Domingo paced the Lady Warriors with 19 points. Sto. Domingo was followed by Eunique Han and Ruthlaine Tacula, who scored 12 and 10 points respectively.
“Ngayon talaga pinaghandaan namin. Hirap kami last week kasi finals exam ng mga bata. Sinabihan ko yung mga bata ngayon na wala na tayong dahil kung bakit hindi natin magawa yung trabaho natin,” narrated UE mentor Aileen Lebornio.
UE led from the get-go, and they amassed a 22-15 advantage by the half. The Lady Warriors improved substantially after halftime as a 10-0 run capped off by Chan’s three-point play gave them a 36-18 separation from the Lady Maroons.
Lebornio shared, “Lagi kaming hindi naglalaro ng umpisa. Yun yung main problema namin na naghahabol kami sa first and second quarter. Kailangan namin magkaroon ng strong start at strong finish.”
The Lady Warriors’ dominance then ballooned in the fourth quarter, as a Sto. Domingo basket gave them their highest lead of the ballgame at 48-23. In the end, UE prevailed 53-39 over UP.
Inside points were what won the game for UE. The Lady Warriors got 34 markers in the paint versus the Lady Maroons’ 14.
UE also had 56 rebounds and 13 second chance points, while UP only produced 46 and 8. The Lady Maroons were led by Maan Wong whose 11 points and 15 rebounds were for naught.
UE (7-3) will next play against the Ateneo de Manila University on October 26, 10:00 AM, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. On the other hand, UP (1-10) will take on La Salle but on November 9, 10:00 AM, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Sabi ko sa mga bata yung pagkatalo ng La Salle sa atin blessing yun pero hindi ibig sabihin na hindi tayo mag-prepare. Lahat ng team nag-prepare. Lahat ng team gusto pumasok sa Final Four. Dito sa UAAP nag-prepare kami para proteksyunan ang school namin,” promised Lebornio.
The Scores:
UE (53) – Sto. Domingo 19, Chan 12, Tacula 10, Gayacao 4, Ramos 3, Francisco 2, Relova 1, Nama 1, Bobis 1, Mendina 0, Requiron 0, Antonio 0, Ebeza 0.
UP (39) – Wong 11, Viray 7, Esplana 6, Bautista 6, Ordoveza 5, Medina 2, Aliermo 2, Pesquera 0, Rodas 0, Franco 0, Tan 0, Lapid 0, Ongsiako 0, Gatpatan 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarterscores: 15-7, 22-15, 44-22, 53-39
