By Dwyane Harry L. Cabrera

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy found a silver lining despite slipping away from Final Four contention as they succumbed to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses, 84-101, in their final game in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s basketball tournament earlier today, November 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, the Morayta-based lead tactician commended the team’s improvement this season.

“We just have to look on the bright side na (that) coming from last season, we only have three wins, but in this season we ended up having six. I think an improvement is a positive sign already, while we are looking forward sa mga players na dadagdag next season,” she stated.

The green-and-gold cagebelles struck early, tallying a bonus shot alongside five markers from Yvette Villanueva and MJ Manguiat to build a 6-2 lead.

However, FEU absorbed a heavy blow as the España-based crew attacked from all angles, triggering a costly 5-23 skid that flipped the score to 11-25.

Near the closing minutes, Amyah Espanol knocked down two free throws and a layup, followed by Shemaiah Abatayo’s layup to end the opening frame at 17-28.

Midway through the second quarter, the Lady Tamaraws crawled their way back by capitalizing on free throws and three pointers, earning them a 12-2 run before the first half ended at 38-50.

Opening the third canto, Espanol took matters into her own hands, trading baskets against the gold-and-white squad to keep the green-and-gold cagebelles within striking distance, 55-65. 

However, the Palmera-Dy-led team absorbed a 2-7 beating from the Lady Tigresses in the dying minutes of the third quarter, 57-72.

Eager to make a comeback, the green-and-gold squad started the final frame with a 7-2 run spearheaded by Espanol’s freebies, 65-73.

Despite their late game push, FEU saw the lead grow to 19 points, making their comeback hopes slip away before the game ended, 84-101.

Coach Raiza also mentioned their off-season plans, emphasizing the need to sharpen their finishes and shooting.

“Finding our skills especially on the finishes, we’ll focus on the individual skills muna and then, ayon, ‘yung system naman namin, may idea naman na lahat ng players. Siguro we’ll focus on shooting and finishes namin (we’ll focus on our individual skills first and then our system, since the players already have an idea of it anyway. Maybe we’ll focus on our shooting and finishes),” she added.

Despite falling short of a potential Final Four spot, Espanol led the scoring department with 25 markers, while Abatayo added 21 points of her own. 

The Morayta-based squad wrapped up the season settling in the fifth seed built on a 6-8 win-loss record; a hefty improvement from their 3-11 sheet last season. 
(Photo by Aleena Louise Abad/FEU Advocate)