UAAP: Lady Archers survive tough test from Ateneo to clinch fourth straight win

In a slugfest between bitter rivals, the DLSU Lady Archers came out on top against the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 44-43, last Wednesday, September 23, at the latter’s home court, the Blue Eagle Gym, in Quezon City.

Ana Castillo was the lone double-digit scorer for La Salle, finishing with 11 points built on three three-pointers. Snow Penaranda only scored five points but grabbed 16 rebounds in the Lady Archers’ fourth win in five games.

The Lady Eagles were led by senior center Danica Jose, who had a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Hazelle Yam added nine points in the low-scoring ball game.

In the first five minutes of the opening quarter, DLSU raced to a 10-2 lead. Castillo scored eight of her points in the first, sinking two shots from behind the three-point line. The quarter would end with the score of 16-10 in favor of La Salle.

The Taft-based squad held a 10-point lead midway through the second quarter after Ara Abaca hit a mid-range jumper. However, the home team would cut the deficit to six by the end of the half, 27-21.

Ateneo would finally tie the game in the third quarter after a Caramia Buendia basket tied the game at 34 at the 2:17 mark. The Lady Archers countered with a 5-0 run to take a 39-34 lead heading into the final quarter.

Things would get ugly in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter as neither team could convert any of their field goal attempts. With Ateneo only down by two, 41-39, Alyanna Vergara made a three-pointer to give DLSU a two-possession lead with four minutes left in the game. Jose and Yam would hit baskets inside to bring the Lady Eagles to within one point, 44-43.

With time running low, Vergara and Alyanna Ong were sent to the line to try to seal the game for La Salle. However, both would miss their shots at the foul line, giving the Katipunan-based squad a chance to steal the match with three seconds remaining.

Unfortunately for the Lady Eagles, a miscommunication on a Claire Aseron pass resulted into a turnover, giving La Salle the win.

Up next for the Lady Archers are the Adamson Lady Falcons, whom they will face on Sunday, September 27, at 1pm in the Blue Eagle Gym.

 

The scores:

DLSU (44) – Castillo 11, Claro 8, Dagdagan 6, Penaranda 5, Abaca 4, Vergara 3, Revillosa 3, Ong 2, Roxas 2, Figueroa 0, Gonzales 0, Vela 0.

AdMU (43) – Jose 14, Yam 9, Javier 5, Buendia 4, Go 3, Aseron 2, Tomita 2, Deacon 2, Guytingco 2, Nitorreda 0, Posada 0, Payac 0, Moslares 0, Newsome 0.

Quarterscores: 16-10, 27-21, 39-34, 44-43