By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws Team Captain Camille Taguiam delivered on both ends of the court to emerge victorious against the University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors, 62-56, in their second-round opening matchup of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 women’s basketball tourney today, October 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

Taguiam was a board away from posting a double-double performance with 15 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals. 

During the post-game conference, the veteran guard mentioned that they have to keep in mind Coach Bert Flores’ reminders to snatch another win against UE.

“‘Yung mga reminders po ni Coach, ‘yung play as a team, keep talking, still [have] communication [with] each other lalo na sa defense, and ‘yun, execute lang namin ‘yung mga play at ‘yung mga game plan (Coach's reminders are to play as a team, keep talking, still [have] communication [with] each other, especially in defense, and that, we just execute the plays and the game plans),” Taguiam said.

The green-and-gold team captain also dedicated the game to the comeback of MJ Manguiat who had to sit out for the Lady Tams after their season opener game against the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles. 

“Dine-dedicate ko po ‘yung game na ‘to para kay MJ [Manguiat], winelcome namin po talaga siya kasi after ilang games po na wala po si MJ, nag-struggle po ako na ako lang mag-isa (I'm dedicating this game to MJ [Manguiat], we really welcomed her because after a few games without MJ, I struggled by myself),” she added.

The Morayta-based squad managed to limit UE’s offense to three markers with only 1:25 ticks left in the second quarter, 38-19.

However, FEU suffered from the pressure defense executed by the Recto-based squad upon entering the second half that cut their lead down to five in the final canto, 52-47.

With 2:55 time left, the Taguiam-led team pulled away to claim their second win of the season.

FEU Head Coach Flores also said during the post-game interview that they anticipated the Lady Red Warriors to bounce back after the first round, so they had to prepare for it.

“Kasi sa first round, isa lang din [panalo namin], sila lang din kalaban namin eh. Kaya sa second round, prinepare talaga namin kasi mag-bounce back din ‘yan eh (Because in the first round, we only had one [win], they were our opponent. So in the second round, we'll be cautious because that will also bounce back),” Flores stated.

FEU now holds a 2-6 win-loss record and will try to mount redemption against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers on Wednesday, November 2, at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila City.

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)