By Fibby Ann Mercado

With one game left, Far Eastern University (FEU) head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy emphasized the high stakes as the Lady Tamaraws trampled the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 70-53, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s basketball tournament earlier today, November 22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“So, alam nila coming into this game na we have to win this game. It's a must-win game. By winning this game, tied kami with Adamson, ‘no? So we have one more game left against UST on Wednesday, and then Adamson as well has one game left also on Sunday,” she said in the post-game conference.

The game opened with steady scoring led mainly by Amyah Espanol and Yvette Villanueva, creating a back-and-forth race with the red-and-white squad, 9-9. 

Despite multiple free throw opportunities from the Red Warriors, Espanol’s consistent freebies and mid-range shots kept the team ahead by the end of the first quarter, 17-12.

At the start of the second canto, Villanueva scored with a two-point jumper, followed by an assist from Shane Salvani leading to Elaine Patio’s jump shot to widen the gap, 21-12. 

As the red-and-white squad slowly caught up, Shemaiah Abatayo knocked down a momentum-shifting three-pointer, leading to a strong closing run, 35-21.

In the third frame, UE's attempts to close the gap forced FEU to double their efforts starting with Abatayo's assist to Espanol, 37-31. 

Fortunately, Lorelie Gavaran’s key layups followed by a crucial three by MJ Manguiat extended the lead to 49-39.  

Gavaran kickstarted the green-and-gold cagebelles’ offense in the fourth canto with a jumper, 56-41. It was not long until FEU built a hefty 20-point lead, 70-50.

Despite a late triple from Red Warrior Princess Delig, the Lady Tamaraws prevailed with a 70-53 win.

Palmera-Dy also noted the improvements made by the other team members to contribute in winning the game.

“As you mentioned, nag-step up ‘yung other players natin, like Gavaran and MJ Manguiat, you know. They just need this opportunity for them to be able to contribute... so luckily, they performed well, and nakatulong sa team, at ‘yun naman ‘yung kinakailangan namin once na may kinuha kami sa bench (As you mentioned, our other players stepped up—like Gavaran and MJ Manguiat. They just needed this opportunity to be able to contribute. Fortunately, they performed well and helped the team, and that is exactly what we need whenever we bring someone off the bench),” she said.

Leading the scoring was Espanol with 21 points and 6 rebounds, followed by Abatayo with 10 markers and 4 boards. Meanwhile, team captain Villanueva posted an impressive 11 rebounds. 

With this crucial win, the Morayta-based squad improved to a 6-7 win-loss record as they prepare to face the University of Santo Tomas on November 26, Wednesday, at the same venue.

(Photo by Thea Danielle Morin/FEU Advocate)