By Gabrielle Amber Bellosillo
Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws held off a late-game rally against Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, securing a 50-48 tight win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 women’s basketball tournament earlier today, October 24, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Trailing in the first quarter, the Kalaw-based squad drew first blood with a two-point basket before FEU guard Victoria Pasilang quickly responded to tie it at 2-2.
FEU cagebelles Amyah Espanol combined for an early assist and a triple with Pasilang, widening the team’s advantage to 7-2.
However, Lady Tamaraw Elaine Patio’s stretch to put back a layup was not enough to preserve momentum as the Lady Falcons mounted a comeback to knot the score to a deadlock, 11-11.
Breaking away from the first quarter stalemate, Pasilang paced an offensive effort sinking all 2-of-2 on the line, followed by a triple from deep by MJ Manguiat, 18-14.
The green-and-gold squad maintained its grip on command as Pasilang sank a deep double to propel the gap to 20-14, trailed by Patio’s back-to-back successful charity shots to end the second frame, 34-19.
Coming out of halftime, Pasilang converted a two-point basket to widen the gap, 36-23.
Despite unconverted free throws, Espanol quickly redeemed herself through a cut-drive layup, followed by Patio’s two-point jump shot to keep the Lady Tamaraws ahead, 40-27.
A smooth triple from guard Shane Salvani kept FEU in control, keeping the Lady Falcons at bay despite a swift three-point reply, 43-35.
However, momentum shifted for the Raiza Palmera-Dy-led squad in the final frame as they struggled to contain the Lady Falcons' attempts to close the gap with one minute and 31 seconds left on the clock, 48-47.
Pasilang delivered in the dying seconds, converting a crucial putback with 7.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to close the game with a 50-48 victory.
In a post-game conference, Lady Tamaraws head coach Palmera-Dy admitted her trust in Pasilang’s ability to convert points in crucial plays.
“We had a 15-point lead going into the second half, but luckily, of course, I’m not surprised that she can do all things with that kind of shot,” she noted.
However, the head coach acknowledged the Lady cagebelles’ lapses heading into the second half of the game, pointing to their relaxed approach from a wide advantage in the first half.
“Actually, ‘yung second half namin, we had a bad start in the third quarter. And that’s something that we have to address on going into the second round. Siguro, one factor is hindi kami sanay na, this lead, ‘yung 15-point lead, going into the second half… Not only on offense, but on defense as well, medyo nag-relax kami,” Palmera-Dy noted.
Pasilang spearheaded FEU’s offense with 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Patio matched the scoring output with 15 markers of her own.
As FEU heads into the final round of eliminations with a 4-3 win-loss record, they look to strengthen their campaign against AdU on Wednesday, October 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
(Photo by Gabriel Matencio/FEU Advocate)