By Leiniel A. Santos

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws' control of the game fumbled in the final quarter against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 77-82, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s basketball tournament earlier today, September 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The green-and-gold squad were unable to set the tide early in the game as UP notched an early two-point basket after winning the jump ball.

Despite multiple missed shots, the Lady Tams managed to keep the Maroons’ lead to five at the end of the first quarter, 24-29.

During the second quarter, team captain Mary Jane Manguiat and Shane Salvani led the Morayta cagebelles to snatch the lead and force a momentum swing to end the first half, 48-41.

However, the Diliman-based squad raised the intensity to bring back their rhythm and attempt to gain advantage.

Fortunately, FEU still seized the upper hand and maintained their lead at the end of the third frame, 66-64.

But in the final quarter, the Lady Tamaraws ended up playing catch-up with UP as the Fighting Maroons stole the lead.

With only two minutes left, head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy called for a timeout but still, the green-and-gold squad missed to win the match, 77-82.

Lady Tam Salvani led the scoring load with 28 points.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Salvani mentioned that they failed to execute their plays after halftime.

“Siguro nagkulang kami sa execution ng mga play namin kaya naging end is turnovers na (Maybe we lacked to execute our plays that is why it turned into turnovers),” she said.

The Lady Tam forward added that the team needs to have the same energy to achieve victory.

“We have to maintain our energy, kailangan mas mahawa namin ‘yung iba naming teammate para as one kami naglalaro (We have to maintain our energy, we need to push our teammates more for us to play as one),” Salvani concluded.

The Morayta-based squad will try to recover and notch a win against De La Salle University on Wednesday, September 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

(Photo by Kristoffer Zyanel Bermudez/FEU Advocate)