FMC: Lady Archers banks on experience in crushing Lady Phoenix

Key veterans guided the Lady Archers once again in their 57-39 demolition of the Our Lady of Fatima Lady Phoenix in the continuation of the Father Martin Cup Women’s division at the San Beda Gym yesterday.

Nicole Garcia tallied a game-high 18 points while the returning duo of Cass Santos and Miller Ong combined for 21 markers.

With the Lady Archers trailing by a point at halftime, Head Coach Tyrone Bautista switched to an all-veteran lineup that immediately paid dividends.

Key returnee Ong scattered nine out of her 11 points in the quarter to jumpstart a 15-3 run, turning the game into their favor.

After the quick turnaround, Coach Bautista gave ample playing time for the youngsters as the Lady Phoenix continued to struggle scoring from the field.

The Lady Phoenix was unable to threaten the gap, which soared up to 19 points thereafter.

Yet in the first half, it was the Valenzuela-based squad who took control with a 9-2 advantage at the 5:03 mark, with only Santos and Garcia driving the Lady Archers within touching distance at the end of the first quarter.

Ara Abaca was called into the action late in the second quarter to have some on-court leadership which the young breed of Lady Archers needed.

Bautista said, “I think it’s a good exposure for the rookies to experience playing college [basket] ball. We joined this tournament to expose them to college basketball and at the same time, to slowly integrate them into the system that we’re running.”

Aside from the injured Jonah Melendres, Lady Archer Kady Wilson also missed the game due to personal commitments.

Quarter scores: 10-15, 24-25, 42-30, 57-39