By Andrei M. Barrantes

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws found themselves on the wrong side of a late-game rally as they failed to avert the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers, 60-64, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s basketball tournament earlier today, November 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

FEU braced an early barrage of three-pointers from DLSU at the start of regulation, ending the first frame at 10-16. 

In the second quarter, Morayta center Yvette Villanueva served as the spark plug, chipping in seven points including a triple from the wing to cap off the first-half run ending in a 32-30 lead. 

After halftime, green-and-gold guard EJ Lopez went on a tear, scoring 11 points including three triples to break open the lead. Following her is team captain MJ Manguiat, who logged five of her 16 markers in the third quarter.

Despite the free-flowing offense marked by the comfortable nine-point lead heading into the final frame, the Lady Tams suffered a 3-14 run from the Lady Archers, returning to the deficit with 3:33 left in regulation, 58-59.

FEU’s open looks and movement-heavy offense were clamped by the Taft-based squad, hampering their three-point shooting and second-chance points. 

The green-and-gold squad scored only five points to DLSU’s 18 in the fourth.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, assistant coach Mark Isip deemed the loss inexcusable, regardless of the age of the roster.

“Closing out games. We felt [that] we should have won that game. It’s not an excuse [that] immaturity shows, pero (but) we felt na dapat tayo nanalo doon (we should have won that),” he said.

Manguiat led the pack with 16 points and seven rebounds, followed by Villanueva and Lopez, who scored 15 and 14, respectively.

Morayta-based playmaker Shane Salvani suffered a scoreless game, going 0/14 from the field. She also followed up her nine-turnover performance in last game’s victory against UE with 11 today.

Coach Isip added that Salvani’s turnovers is a major issue to be addressed in hopes of averting other comeback attempts in the future.

“The point guard is supposed to be the one taking care of the ball most of the time. So, if you turn over the ball, it kinda puts your team in harm’s way. Kung ikaw ang mas maraming (If you are the one piling up) turnover during the whole game at mataas ang minuto mo, kailangan matutuhan niya at maging disiplinado siya sa mga games niya (she logs the higher minutes, then she needs to learn and be disciplined in her games),” he adds.

FEU fell to a 3-7 win-loss record, tying the University of the Philippines. The Manguiat-led squad will face Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, November 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)