By: Joaquin Cortez
University of the Philippines held off a second-half rally from De La Salle University, 63-58, to notch its second win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After dropping their last two games to Far Eastern University in overtime and Adamson University, the Fighting Maroons improved to 2-2 under new head coach Eric Altamirano. Meanwhile, the Lady Archers absorbed their third loss in four games.
Despite going scoreless for nearly seven minutes, UP stood firm defensively in the closing stretch. The team forced turnovers and contested shots to keep La Salle at bay and secure the bounce-back victory.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“We started strong. I thought the girls really played good defense, pero ‘nung fourth quarter, it was a struggle for us to score. But I always remind them, ‘even if we struggle, make sure our defense would not be compromised,’” the 60-year-old Altamirano said.
“True enough, we were able to pull this through. La Salle is a tough team, and what I liked about the girls kanina was that they played cohesively as a team.”
After a sluggish opening quarter for both teams, UP found its rhythm with an 11-2 run in the second period, capped by Camille Nolasco’s floater to establish a double-digit lead at 29-18.
La Salle tightened its defense in the third quarter, mounting a 9-2 run capped by Zyla Lubrico’s triple to cut the deficit to two, 48-46. However, Kaye Pesquera answered with a buzzer-beating triple to restore UP’s five-point cushion heading into the final quarter, 51-46.
The Fighting Maroons regained control in the fourth as Nolasco knocked down two triples to extend their lead to 10, 63-53.
La Salle’s comeback bid also suffered a setback when Kyla Go sustained a left ankle injury with 4:54 remaining. Go stepped on Blessing Francis’ foot while driving to the basket and did not return to the game.
“Coming into this game, ni-remind lang po kami ni Coach Eric na this game is going to test our character, especially coming from two straight losses,” Nolasco said. “Every game, nire-remind lang kami ni Coach Eric na ‘It’s not about who we play, it’s about how we play.’”
UP’s starters accounted for 55 of the team’s 63 points, with Ozar leading the Fighting Maroons with 20 points, three rebounds, and four steals. Ozar scored 16 points in the first half alone.
Nolasco added 16 points on four-of-six shooting from beyond the arc, while Francis chipped in a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
For La Salle, Bukko Ojo recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Go finished with 12 points and three steals.
UP will look to extend its winning run against University of the East on Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 AM at the Quadricentennial Pavilion. Meanwhile, La Salle will face Adamson University on Sunday, October 18, at noon at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Scores:
UP 63 – Ozar 20, Nolasco 16, Francis 10, Cunanan 7, Pesquera 5, Vingno 3, Ka 2, Tapawan 0, Abrams 0, Loon 0, Mendoza 0.
La Salle 58 – Ojo 14, Go 12, Lubrico 9, Villarin 7, Sunga 6, Dizon 5, Villapando 3, Bacierto 2, Dizon 0, Delos Reyes 0, Anastacio 0.
Quarterscores: 18-16, 37-29, 51-46, 63-58.
