The DLSU Lady Archers snatched the pivotal game one of the best-of-three finals by dominating the tough NU Lady Bulldogs via a 72-48 rout. The veteran Lady Archer led the way as they took off in the second half to take control of the important game. Mythical team member Ara Abaca led DLSU’s balanced attack with 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds to will her team within a game of the UAAP championship trophy.
Starting the game with a 6-0 run, the ballgame seemed bright for the Lady Bulldogs. Lady Archer Niky Garcia started to change the tempo though after scoring five straight points coupled with an assist to give the La Salle squad their first lead of the game at 7-6. The next few sequences in the first period were full of basket exchanges and mini-runs. The two squads kept the scoring tight to end the first quarter at 15-14 in favor of the Lady Archers.
The second quarter saw the Lady Archers dominating on the offensive end. Outscoring their counterparts by 5, 18-13, La Salle capitalized on fastbreak opportunities and turnover points. The first half culminated with the Lady Archers posting a six-point lead, 33-27, to keep themselves in the driver’s seat which they sustained until endgame.
Coming out of the halftime break, the squad from Taft orchestrated a suffocating full-court defense to hound the guards of the Lady Bulldogs and this resulted to NU’s 16 turnovers that were converted to 13 turnover points.
The penultimate quarter was lopsided as the brick-like defense of DLSU was sustained and the Lady Archers’ baskets began falling through the net. DLSU outscored NU, 22 to seven, to end with a 24 point win at the final buzzer.
Four players registered in double figures for the Lady Archers, aside from the double-double performance of Abaca; Trisha Piatos, Cass Santos and Garcia had 15, 11 and 11 points respectively.
The Lady Bulldogs were paced by Anne Gupilan who was the lone brightspot for NU as she contributed 15 points coupled with 12 rebounds.
The Lady Archers seek to end their season with a championship on Wednesday, 10 am, at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The scores
DLSU 72: Abaca 16, Piatos 15, Santos 11, Garcia 11, Ramos 8, Claro 7, Ong A. 2, Corcuera 2, Scott 0, Revillosa 0, Oyao 0, Ong M. 0, Melendres 0
NU 48: Gupilan 15, Abriam 8, Escoto 6, Bernardino 5, Tongco 3, Sison 2, Paig 2, Malana 2, Maghibon 2, Antiquera 2, Seno 1, Ross 0, Cenarosa 0, Bonleon 0
Quarter scores: 15-14, 33-27, 50-41, 72-48
