By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws continue to gear up for the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 as they achieved a bronze finish over the Enderun Colleges Lady Titans, 83-53, in the 2024 Pinoyliga Women's Cup earlier today, July 30, in the Enderun Gymnasium in Taguig City.

"It's a good experience for everybody. [In] this five-day league, we saw na marami pa kaming kailangan i-improve (that we still have a lot to improve) and coming to [the] UAAP, at least we have one more month left para i-address lahat ng mga 'yun (to address all of those)," head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy said in a post-game interview with FEU Advocate.

During the preliminary round, the Morayta-based cagebelles managed to take their only win over the Taguig squad.

FEU then absorbed tough losses from the Philippine Army Altama Women and the Gilas women's basketball team to put themselves at the three-seed before the playoffs.

The Lady Tams' rematch against the Altama Women in the semis unfortunately had the same result, leading to the do-or-die rematch against the Lady Titans for third place today.

To begin the match, FEU came out guns blazing to quickly build up a double-digit lead and keep Enderun in single digit at the end of the first, 23-6.

The Lady Tams' domination of the Lady Titans continued throughout the rest of the first half, topped off by a Jhailruth Libor buzzer-beater from the logo, 41-15.

In the second half, the same story would play out as the Palmera-Dy-led squad utilized their superior offense and size to run away with the massive lead until the final buzzer, claiming the victory.

Joaan Nagma was hailed as the Player of the Game with 21 points and six rebounds. Maxene Dela Torre followed close behind with 18 markers of her own.

Libor and Rica Lopez also fired up double-digit points with 12 and 11, respectively.

Considering the formidable opponents they faced in the tourney, Coach Raiza emphasized her advice to the cagebelles to take the opportunity as a blessing.

"On our part, mas nag-gain kami eh (we gained more) because we got a chance to play against the best of the best in the Philippines. So sabi ko sa mga bata (I told the kids), you have to take this opportunity as a blessing and you just have to enjoy it," she stated.

Palmera-Dy also spoke on their plan to utilize their defense and hustle to be competitive in the UAAP despite their physical disadvantages.

"To be honest, we have to depend on our defense. We will be a running team. We are not the tallest. Actually, [we're] one of the smallest this coming UAAP but I told them, if we are there every day sa (on) defense, I think kung mapahihirapan namin lahat ng mga kalaban namin (if we're able to give our opponents a hard time), we will be having a good chance sa UAAP," the lead tactician added.

Gilas Pilipinas notched the championship while Philippine Army placed second in the tournament.

Pinoyliga Women's Cup is an amateur league where women's teams of different calibers get to contend with each other and prepare for their future competitions.

(Photo courtesy of the Pinoyliga Cup Facebook page)