Like a firework waiting to be lit up, Khate Castillo exploded for four triples in the third period to help De La Salle University pull away from Far Eastern University, 54-45 Thursday in the UAAP Season 78 women’s basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The spitfire guard nailed four consecutive long range bombs to help the Lady Archers transform a 29-23 edge into a commanding 43-27 bubble late in the third quarter.
La Salle kept dodging FEU’s rallies towards the end although an 8-0 run by Isabel Ballecer and Precious Arellado pulled the Lady Tamaraws within 43-51 under the final minute of play.
But the Morayta side failed to follow up as they struggled to convert against the pesky La Salle defense even as Camille Claro sealed the win by hitting three more free throws down the stretch.
Castillo paced the Taft squad with a game-high 19 points on 5-for-11 shooting from beyond the arc. She added 4 rebounds and 2 steals while Claro chipped in 8 points.
La Salle’s bigs pounced on FEU’s frontline early as they raced to a 14-3 advantage early on, although Clare Castro made baskets towards the end of the first half to make it just a 28-21 cushion for the Lady Archers.
La Salle’s bigs Snow Penaranda, Ara Abaca, Alyanna Ong, and Jamie Roxas combined for 18 points to provide the interior presence for the 2-1 Lady Archers.
Castro had 14 points and 9 rebounds for the Lady Tamaraws, which sank to 0-3 in the team standings
FEU posted a 55-43 rebounding edge although gave away 27 extra points to La Salle after committing 33 turnovers.
The Scores:
La Salle (54) – Castillo 19, Claro 8, Penaranda 7, Roxas 6, Abaca 4, Dagdagan 3, Vergarra 2, Revillosa 2, Vela 2, Ong 1, Gonzales 0.
FEU (45) – Castro 14, Ballecer 8, Mamaril 7, Arellado 6, Baldonado 5, Ventura 2, Okunlola 2, Hortaleza 1, Capua 0, Adriano 0, Abat 0, Quiapo 0.
Quarters: 18-8, 28-21, 45-29, 54-45.
