Espanol makes FEU debut, pitches 12 in 1st WMPBL victory

FEU Advocate
January 26, 2025 23:23


By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

In her first-ever game for Far Eastern University (FEU), Lady Tamaraw Amyah Espanol dropped double digits to help snag a win against EZ Jersey Relentless, 69-45, in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational Tournament earlier tonight, January 26, at the Enderun Colleges Gym in Taguig City.

Espanol only scored from three free throws in the first half, but slowly ramped up in the second to reach her 12-point total.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, the Filipino-American guard expressed her joy to finally be on the court with the rest of the Morayta cagebelles.

“It feels good to not be just watching. It feels good to get better, play with the team, [and] build our chemistry,” Espanol said.

The green-and-gold squad found their rhythm quickly on both ends of the floor, resulting in an early 6-0 lead and forcing Relentless to call for a timeout just three minutes into the game.

Continuing their shared scoring and tight defense for the rest of the frame, FEU increased their lead to double digits, 19-9.

The second canto mirrored the start of the first as the Lady Tamaraws went on another quick run to force another EZ Jersey timeout, 24-9.

However, Relentless had an answer that time around, feeding big woman Nique Molina in the post to go on a 6-0 streak of their own.

FEU’s defensive struggles endured as EZ Jersey either got easy baskets or drew fouls. Despite this, EJ Lopez’s shooting kept them ahead, knocking down three of her four first-half treys in the quarter to maintain a comfortable lead before halftime, 35-23.

Both teams went on a slow start in the third frame, only putting up two points each in the first three minutes.

Fortunately, the Morayta-based squad was the first to get their groove back by continuously cashing in on the charity stripe and clogging up the paint. By the end of the canto, their lead from the first half essentially doubled, 53-30.

With the massive advantage basically turning the fourth quarter into garbage time, FEU took care of business, with Espanol scoring the squad’s last four points and ending the bout with a game-high lead of 24.

In another interview, green-and-gold head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy spoke of Espanol’s potential and hard work despite her mishaps on the floor.

Sabi ko nga sa kanya, she has to accept the role na isa siya sa magiging main man here sa FEUI think mayroon lang siyang kaunting pag-aalinlangan kanina kasi totally different ‘yung nakikita namin sa practices… The good thing about her is nagko-contribute siya in other departments (I told her that she has to accept that she will be one of the main men here in FEU… I think she just had a few doubts earlier because what we see during practices is totally different. The good thing about her is she contributes in other departments),” she stated.

Meanwhile, the Morayta-based shooting guard emphasized their need to utilize better defense and their superior speed moving forward.

“We need to work on more disciplined defense, less fouls, they were on the bonus a lot, and just pushing the ball, using our speed against these other teams,” Espanol said.

Lopez was named Player of the Game with 14 markers. Fellow guards Shane Salvani and MJ Manguiat followed in the points department with nine and seven, respectively.

The Lady Tamaraws will aim to continue their WMPBL success as they face the San Juan Lady Knights next Sunday, February 2, in an unannounced venue as of writing.

(Photo courtesy of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Facebook page)