In a display of force, the De La Salle University Lady Archers ran past the University of the East Lady Warriors in the UAAP Season 75 Women’s Basketball Tournament, 81-47, last September 9, at the Arena in San Juan.
Head Coach Tyrone Bautista explained, “It is important for us because we are gunning for a twice-to-beat advantage, as of now we’re tied with Adamson so it is very important for us to win our next two games as well, and this is a good preparation for us.”
The Lady Archers dominated the game from the start as the team maintained a minimum ten-point lead after the end of every period.
Veteran forward Ara Abaca produced 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Hannah Viterbo also pitched in 13 points; twelve Lady Archers scored in this game.
Teamwork was the name of the game. The team tallied 23 assists, led by Miller Ong’s 10. The team also capitalized on free throws as the players shot 83.3 percent in comparison to UE’s meager 53.8 percent.
Eliezza Ventura led UE with a game-high of 26 points, but she failed to receive ample support as no other Lady Warrior could score double figures.
Coach Bautista believes though that the team could improve. He said, “We just have to limit our turnovers, take care of the ball more and be more efficient on offense because in that way, you can limit transition baskets of other teams.”
The Lady Archers raced out to a 14-0 lead early on after Kady Wilson made back-to-back baskets. The Lady Warriors did not fold though as the team made a run that cut DLSU’s lead to seven.
In the second period, Camille Ramos, Hannah Viterbo and Inna Corcuera provided a spark from the bench, scoring four points apiece to keep UE at bay, never letting the lead get below nine points, ending the first half with a comfortable 37-20 margin.
Behind the Lady Archers’ pressure defense that contributed 29 turnovers, the team continued to dominate the Lady Warriors in the third period, pulling away for good. DLSU ended the quarter with a resounding 26 point lead.
After the Lady Archers’ resounding victory that moves the team up at 9-3, Coach Tyrone Bautista reminded the team not to be complacent in the next game. “We’re getting there…[we should not let one game] slip away from our hands. Have confidence in yourselves.”
The Lady Archers will next face the UST Tigresses in a key matchup for a Final Four position on Wednesday, August 12 at 1:45 pm at the Arena in San Juan.
The scores:
DLSU (81) – Abaca 22, Viterbo 13, Vela 9, Melendres 7, Ramos 6, Piatos 6, Wilson 4, Santos 4, A. Ong 4, Corcuera 4, M. Ong 1, Dagdagan 1, Pineda 0, Gonzales 0, Garcia 0, Dawis 0.
UE (47 )– Ventura 26, Medina 6, Junsay 6, Doqueza 4, Valdez 2, Puno 2, Chan 1, Zamora 0, Floralde 0, Alfuente 0.
Box scores: 19-9; 37-20; 57-31; 81-47
