By: Joaquin Cortez
University of the Philippines snapped its four-game losing streak and revived its Final Four hopes in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament, rallying from a 23-point deficit to stun Far Eastern University, 82-80, on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Following its stunning upset of powerhouse National University on Oct. 21, the Fighting Maroons struggled to sustain their first-round momentum, dropping their next four games against the University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, and Adamson University. The losing streak also saw them slide from second to sixth in the standings.
With Saturday’s comeback victory, UP improved to 5-6, keeping itself within striking distance of fourth-running Ateneo, which holds a 6-5 record.
Meanwhile, FEU missed its opportunity to return to the top four and overtake Ateneo, dropping to 6-6 after the defeat.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“If you put it into proper perspective, we played the toughest teams. We had back-to-back games against UST, Adamson, and then Ateneo. These are young kids, so a loss can really deflate their confidence,” said UP head coach Eric Altamirano of the team’s four-game skid. “That’s why we don’t dwell on the losses, and we focused on the task ahead.”
FEU appeared to be in control from the get-go, building its biggest lead of the game at 23 points after EJ Lopez’s layup put the Lady Tamaraws ahead, 39-16, early in the second quarter.
However, the Fighting Maroons refused to back down.
UP began chipping away at the deficit, closing the first half with a 23-10 run capped by Camille Nolasco’s layup to cut FEU’s lead to 10, 49-39, with 22 seconds remaining before halftime.
The Fighting Maroons continued their comeback in the third quarter, with Blessing Francis’ layup trimming the deficit to just two, 51-49. Although FEU managed to respond, UP stayed within striking distance heading into the final period, with another inside finish from Francis making it 62-58.
UP finally seized control in the fourth quarter as Louna Ozar sparked a quick seven-point run to give the Fighting Maroons their first lead of the game, 70-67, with 6:31 remaining.
FEU repeatedly threatened to reclaim the lead, but UP held firm down the stretch. Amyah Espanol completed an and-one play to cut the deficit to two with 35 seconds remaining, 82-80, but the Fighting Maroons preserved their lead to escape with the comeback victory.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“It’s really the mindset, and we were all on the same page,” said Ozar. “That’s what made the difference [today].”
Ozar paced the Fighting Maroons with 23 points, just two shy of her career-high, while also dishing out nine assists.
Marielle Vingno chipped in 15 points and four rebounds, while Francis posted a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds for UP.
Kennan Ka missed Saturday’s game as a precautionary measure, as the one-and-done forward continues to recover from a concussion sustained after colliding heads with Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa in their previous outing on Nov. 7.
Victoria Pasilang’s 30-point, seven-rebound performance went in vain for FEU, while Espanol added 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Elaine Patio and Lopez contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively.
The Fighting Maroons will look to sustain their Final Four push when they face De La Salle University on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 10:00 a.m. at the Big Dome.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws will take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 10:00 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
UP 82 – Ozar 23, Vingno 15, Francis 14, Noasco 9, Maw 8, Pesquera 5, Loon 4, Cunanan 4, Abrams 0, Tapawan 0, Mendoza 0, Torres 0.
FEU 80 – Pasilang 30, Espanol 17, Patio 15, Lopez 13, Manguiat 3, Ellorimo 2, Dela Torre 0, Salvani 0, Gavaran 0, Agcambot 0, Kant 0.
Quarterscores: 14-35, 39-51, 58-62, 82-80.
