FEU outguns UE to stay in Final 4 race
Far Eastern University remained hopeful as their hunt for the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball spot in the Final 4 continues with a slim 57-51 victory against University of the East on Sunday, November 3, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
With four games left in their Season 87 campaign, the Lady Tamaraws improved their record to 3-8 despite their 54-70 loss to defending champions UST Growling Tigresses the previous week.
"I told them, whoever is willing to fight for the team, that's who we will use and that's who will play inside the court. In these crucial moments, these are the ones we need to really step up," Lady Tamaraws head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy said.
FEU broke away from a struggling UE side with a dominant 16-7 performance in the third quarter. It turned a slim two-point halftime lead into an 11-point cushion at 47-36 heading into the final period.
In the third quarter, FEU’s commanding 16-7 performance helped them break away from a struggling UE team. It turned a narrow two-point halftime advantage into an 11-point lead going into the final period, 47-36.
The Lady Warriors, however, were determined not to lose easily. At 49-47 with 2:08 remaining, the combined efforts of Jearzy Ganade and Malienne center Kamba Kone reduced a five-point deficit to just two.
FEU replicated their 62-56 first-round victory over UE on September 18 with a late three-pointer by Erica Lopez, a and-one floater by MJ Manguiat, and an inside basket by Maria Paras to secure their third win in ten games.
“To be honest, we are grateful that we won, but I'm not happy with the performance of our team because we set a record this season, 31 turnovers. They maximized our turnovers, but a win is a win, we will move on to our next game which is La Salle. We have to address our turnovers," Palmera-Dy added.
In addition to Lopez’s impressive all-around statline of eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while Manguiat scored 22 markers, five boards, two deflections, and one dime.
Despite only delivering seven points, Shane Salvi still managed to record a game-high 10 rebounds, five assists, and one block.
Max Dela Torre contributed six markers, four boards, two dimes, and one deflection.
The Lady Tamaraws aim to bounce back from their first round loss against De La Salle University on Wednesday, November 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Rachel Lacayanga led the charge with 15 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist as the Lady Warriors lost its 10th game in 11 matches.
Kone, on the other hand, came close to tallying a double-double with 12 markers, nine boards, and one deflection.
Ganade finished with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and five steals, contributing to the overall statline. Ronquillo contributed four rebounds, four assists, seven points, and one steal.
The Lady Warriors will attempt to snap a seven-game losing streak when they face the Growling Tigresses on Saturday, November 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
FEU (57) – Manguiat 22, Lopez 8, Salvani 7, Dela Torre 6, Nagma 5, Villanueva 4, Paras 4, Pasilang 1, Ong 0.
UE (49) – Lacayanga 15, Kone 12, Ganade 10, Ronquillo 7, Vacalares 5, Cruz 2, Buscar 0, Yanez 0, Dalguntas 0, Lumibao 0.
Quarter Scores: 15-18, 31-29, 47-36, 57-51
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