By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws endured a 28-point drawback against the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, leading to a 39-67 defeat in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women's basketball tourney earlier tonight, November 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Right from the get-go, the Morayta-based team was stunned by the San Marcelino-hailing squad before Amyah Espanol’s first field goal and a free throw shot, 3-9. 

In the last two minutes of the first canto, Lady Tamaraw Elaine Patio added a two-pointer off the bench to close off the quarter at 5-13.

Into the second quarter, FEU remained stagnant before another two-pointer from Espanol’s free throws, 7-19.

Apart from Espanol’s four points in the period, the green-and-gold cagebelles carried on to produce a total of 10 points from Yvette Villanueva, MJ Manguiat, and Vic Pasilang’s combined efforts, each producing two-point baskets, 15-33.

The third quarter hauled a glimpse of hope as FEU added 16 buckets, but they eventually remained outclassed by a staggering 24-point gap.

In the final canto, green-and-gold cagebelle EJ Lopez’s starting trey and Shane Salvani’s free throw advantage were insufficient in putting off the biggest lead of the match, 36-67, before ultimately taking a mounding loss, 39-67.

Rookie Espanol carried the offensive end of the Lady Tamaraws as the lone double-digit scorer with 11 points, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Salvani followed with eight markers and four boards.

With only one player scoring double figures, FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy pointed out the playmaking performance of her players in today's match.

“May mga ganung days talaga in basketball, there are times talaga [na] off [game] talaga, but I think this is extra because halos lahat ng players talaga [off game] (There are days like that in basketball, there are times when it is really an off game, but I think this is extra because almost all of our players were off in their game),” she said.

Ahead of the next match, the lead tactician added how the team will manage its problem with establishing a good start in their games.

“If we are having a slow start, talagang ‘yung ending ng game—kung nao-observe nila—hindi talaga namin [makukuha] (the ending of the game—if they can observe it—we really cannot get it). But if we have a good start in the first quarter pa lang, we have bigger chances of winning the game,” Palmera-Dy stated. 

Now with a 4-6 win-loss record, FEU is set to face the top-seeded University of Santo Tomas on November 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

(Photo by Ma. Louela Luna/FEU Advocate)