Straight from their 53-92 debacle against the National University Lady Bulldogs, the University of the East Lady Warriors needed a win to get their UAAP Season 79 Women’s Basketball Tournament campaign back on track.
The Lady Warriors eventually did so in impressive fashion as they defeated the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws 49-44 today at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
Love Sto. Domingo and Nicole Mendina led UE with 13 points each. Eunique Chan also was instrumental to the Lady Warriors cause as she produced 9 points and 12 rebounds.
UE suffered an uncharacteristic start to the game as it faced a 4-17 deficit at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Warriors, though, were unfazed in the second quarter as a Chan basket made it 20-22 late in the period.
FEU’s Angelica Gerner may have scored to make it 20-24 at halftime, but momentum was all UE’s at that point in the game.
“Kailangan pa talaga namin higpitan yung depensa ng mga players. Nung halftime sinabihan ko sila na hindi pwede ganun yung laro namin. Every game namin dito counts sa amin,” commented UE mentor Aileen Lebornio after the game.
After the break, a 6-0 run capped off by Mendina made it 26-24 in favor of UE early in the third quarter. The Lady Warriors’ cushion then rose to 39-28 courtesy of Sarah Antonio’s trey.
The Lebornio-coached squad had a 41-31 advantage going into the final period which was almost overturned by FEU.
Baskets from Lady Tamaraws guards Maria Balleser and Valerie Mamaril made it 45-42 with just 1:11 left in the game.
Once again, though, Chan enacted a strong move in the paint to make it 47-42 to seal the game for UE. The final score was UE 49-44 FEU.
“Sabi ko sa kanila itong game na ito mahalaga sa atin kasi galing tayo sa talo. Kailangan natin bumangon. Kailangan natin kumuha ng pagkakataon para nandun pa rin kami sa game namin,” narrated Lebornio.
In terms of offensive rebounds, UE got more at 20 compared to FEU’s 16. That in turn allowed the Lady Warriors to get 11 second chance points compared to the Lady Tamaraws’ 2. Precious Arellado paced FEU with nine points.
Up next for UE (6-3) will be the University of the Philippines on October 23, 8:00 AM. On the other hand, FEU (2-7) shall face De La Salle University on October 12, 8:00 AM. Both games will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Scores:
UE (49) – Sto. Domingo 13, Mendina 13, Tacula 11, Chan 9, Antonio 3, Ramos 0, Francisco 0, Gayacao 0, Cortizano 0, Requiron 0.
FEU (44) – Arellado 9, Gerner 8, Ouano 8, Balleser 6, Mamaril 6, Okunlola 5, Ventura 2, Jumuad 0, Capua 0.
Quarterscores: 4-17, 20-24, 41-31, 49-44.
