By Krizza Gabrielle Tabora

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws Shemaiah Abatayo and Victoria Pasilang led FEU to neutralize the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 81-59, during the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s basketball tournament earlier today, October 19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Abatayo led the scoring for the green-and-gold team with 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while forward Pasilang ranked second on the scoreboard with 19 markers, nine boards, and two dimes to dominate the red-and-white squad.

The Lady Tamaraws immediately took charge as Amyah Espanol scored the team’s first basket just 15 seconds into the opening quarter, 2-0. 

UE Lady Warrior Kezza Buscar tried to shift momentum with a three-pointer, but Yvette Villanueva and Shane Salvani quickly responded with two points apiece with a jump shot to extend FEU’s lead, 12-5.

The Morayta-based cagebelles then unleashed a barrage of triples, with Filipino-Canadian point guard Shemaiah Abatayo sinking back-to-back three-pointers, and Espanol adding another to end the first quarter, 23-15.

Abatayo continued her hot streak in the second frame, drilling two consecutive outside shots to push the Morayta-based squad ahead by 15 points, 30-15.

Lady Tamaraw Salvani continued the team’s long-range train with a three-pointer off an assist from Abatayo to keep the Lady Warriors at bay, 37-20. 

The green-and-gold squad maintained their rhythm as Victoria Pasilang added a layup before Abatayo produced a long jumper to secure a 43-31 lead entering halftime.

The Morayta-based team powered through the third quarter as EJ Lopez knocked a three-pointer, and Salvani produced a jumpshot. Pasilang’s layup closed the quarter, giving FEU a commanding advantage, 58–37.

Pasilang took charge during the last frame, leading the Tamaraws’ scoring as they extended their lead to 22 points, 65-43.

Despite UE’s late attempts to narrow the gap, FEU only tightened their defense, maintaining their momentum to seal the victory, 81-59. 

During the post-game conference, top scorer Abatayo emphasized the team’s need to keep moving forward and trust each other as they near the end of the first round of the tourney.

“We have to continue to take steps forward, especially the people we’re up to, and we want to get better. We just have to keep trusting each other, trusting the dream team,” she mentioned. 

Second leading scorer Pasilang also noted the importance of working harder to keep improving while trusting the team’s system.

“Magtiwala lang po sa sistema, magtiwala lang sa coaches, maging ready palagi, and i-improve ‘yung weaknesses ko. Kaya ngayon, I work harder (Just trust the system, trust the coaches, always be ready, and improve my weaknesses. That’s why now, I work harder),” the Lady Tamaraw expressed.

The Lady Tamaraws currently rank fourth with an even 3-3 win-loss record and aim to add to their win column against Ateneo de Manila University to close off the first round next Saturday, October 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

(Photo courtesy of Maximo Dela Cruz/FEU Athletics)