UAAP: Lady Archers stretch winning streak to eight with win over UE

To resume their suspended Sunday game, the DLSU Lady Archers overcame the UE Lady Warriors in a thrilling overtime finish, 73-70, in the ongoing UAAP Women’s Basketball tournament last Thursday, October 22, at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Ana Castillo and Camille Claro turned in excellent performances for the Lady Archers to once again lead their team to victory. Castillo had 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Claro had 16 points, eight assists, and five rebounds in a game that went down the wire.

The Lady Warriors leaned on the trio of Cherry Ano-os, Love Joy Sto. Domingo, and Eunique Chan for most of the game. Playing heavy minutes, all three turned in double-double point-rebound performances, with Ano-os getting 22 and 12, Sto. Domingo with 20 and 13, and Chan having 12 and 15 for the match.

La Salle held a five-point lead, 12-7, to end the first quarter. However, UE was able to catch up and grab the lead at the end of the first half, 29-27. In the third quarter, the Taft-based squad was able to go on a scoring burst to hold a six-point advantage, 44-38, before the start of the fourth.

The final period saw the Lady Archers’ lead balloon to 17, 57-40, off a Bennette Revillosa basket with six minutes remaining. Despite the imposing deficit, the Recto-based squad was able to claw back into the game. Then only down by two, 60-58, Chan hit a shot with 20 seconds remaining to tie the score and eventually send the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Castillo dropped seven of her 19 points to keep the La Salle offense going. Alyanna Vergara and Snow Peñaranda hit free throws in the dying seconds to ice the game for DLSU.

La Salle held a big advantage in bench points, getting 40 as opposed to UE, which had none. However, the Lady Warriors grabbed 21 more rebounds than the Taft-based squad, 63-42.

The scores:

DLSU (73) – Castillo 19, Claro 16, Vergara 10, Abaca 6, Penaranda 6, Revillosa 6, Roxas 4, Dagdagan 3, Vela 2, Ong 1, Gonzales 0.

UE (70) – Ano-os 22, Sto. Domingo 20, Chan 12, Tacula 10, Medina 6, Francisco 0, Gayacao 0, Ramos 0, Taguiam 0.

Quarter Scores: 12-7, 27-29, 44-38, 60-60, 73-70