By Vince Matthew Jaramilla
Despite Amyah Espanol and Victoria Pasilang firing up 34 markers together, Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws succumbed to National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 60-66, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 women’s basketball tourney earlier today, October 18, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Espanol recorded 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists while Pasilang tallied 16 markers, seven boards, and three dimes.
In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Lady Tamaraws head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy mentioned that the Gilas duo’s performance was expected, while the rest of the players need to step up to help them.
“Expected naman that those two Gilas players are gonna dominate [in] that department. But the thing is, they need more help sa other teammates nila. And I hope na they will be consistent throughout this season because we really need them. They are the main players of this team,” she said.
Shaky interior defense and ball security troubled FEU in the first frame, allowing NU free field goals from the paint.
With easy looks being scarce for the Lady Tamaraws, Espanol acted as a bright spot, scoring eight in the quarter to stay right on the Lady Bulldogs’ tails, 13-15.
The Morayta squad’s issues carried over into the second canto, only able to keep the game close thanks to the Jhocson-based cagebelles’ own offensive struggles, 22-26.
In the final possessions of the first half, foul trouble further rattled the Palmera-Dy-led squad’s momentum, giving up six straight points which ballooned the deficit into double digits, 22-32.
After the halftime break, both teams exchanged trips to the charity stripe, making it difficult for the Lady Tamaraws to launch a comeback.
Guard EJ Lopez sparked hope for FEU with back-to-back threes late in the third canto, even prompting an NU timeout, but the Lady Bulldogs constantly remained at least three possessions away, 41-52.
In the fourth quarter, Pasilang took charge of the green-and-gold squad with a six-point opener, followed by Elaine Patio’s and-one play to cut the margin to four, 52-56.
Despite another timeout from the blue-and-gold team with five minutes left, the Morayta-based cagebelles executed excellent defense to force two shot clock violations and minimize NU’s production.
Unfortunately, FEU fell short in the final minute, unable to get even a glimpse of the lead until the buzzer as they tallied their third consecutive loss, 60-66.
Palmera-Dy emphasized consistent defensive effort for every possession as the main takeaway she wants to teach her players.
“If it’s something man na positive to carry on for our last three games, [it] was to be there especially on defense. Kasi it’s very hard for us because ‘di naman kami ‘yung most skilled team, most top, tallest team here in the league. So we really have to fight every possession. That’s what I’m trying to impart [to] them now,” she stated.
With the remainder of the second round to be all played in the coming week, the lead tactician also highlighted a simplified gameplan to address both the short prep time and the significance of the matches.
“The last two games [are] non-negotiable games for us... Of course, much shorter ‘yung preparation namin. But we will make it simplified for the girls. We really have to study and look at kung ano ‘yung strength ng makakalaban namin (the strengths of our opponents). And we have to focus on how to defend those kinds of movements,” she added.
Following the Gilas duo in the stat sheet, Shane Salvani and Patio scored nine and seven points, respectively.
Having fallen into a negative record of 2-3, the Palmera-Dy-led squad will look to get even as they clash with University of the East on Wednesday, October 21, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
(Photo by Prince Espela/FEU Advocate)