UAAP: Lady Archers stretch winning streak to nine with crucial wins over FEU and UE

With the Final Four right around the corner, the DLSU Lady Archers continued to solidify their grip on the second spot in the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Basketball tournament after sweeping their assignments last week.

The Lady Archers overcame the UE Lady Warriors in a thrilling overtime finish, 73-70, 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 had 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 continued their winning ways after cruising past the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 54-43, last Sunday, October 25, in the same venue. Claro starred once again for the Lady Archers, scattering 12 points and five assists throughout the match. Ara Abaca had an all-around game of 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists to help the team achieve their ninth straight victory. FEU was led by Precious Arellado, who had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Claire Castro added 12 points and six rebounds in the loss.

Down the wire

Against UE, La Salle held a five-point lead, 12-7, to end the first quarter. However, the Lady Warriors were able to catch up to DLSU 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 run that allowed them to secure a six-point advantage, 44-38, before the start of the fourth quarter.

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. By then only down by two, 60-58, Chan made a basket with 20 seconds remaining to tie the score and eventually send the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Castillo scored 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.

Pulling away late  

It was a tightly contested first quarter as both DLSU and FEU struggled to make their shots, with La Salle leading by just two points, 11-9, at the end of the first quarter. Led by Castillo’s five points, the Lady Archers played a much better second quarter, outscoring FEU, 16-8. As a result, DLSU held a 27-17 lead at the half.

With their backs against the wall, the Lady Tamaraws then upped their defensive pressure in the third quarter. They limited the Taft-based squad to only two field goals, cutting the lead to six, 33-27, before the start of the fourth quarter.

Arellado tried her best to lead the Lady Tamaraws back, scoring eight points in the final period. On the other side, stellar passing from Claro and Abaca fueled the Lady Archer attack. In the end, DLSU’s offense was too much for the FEU defense to handle.

FEU never led in the game, with the La Salle lead ballooning to 13 at one point in the game. The 25 turnovers the Lady Tamaraws committed were also too many for them to overcome.

The Lady Archers will resume action in two weeks with a game against the UP Lady Maroons on Sunday, November 8, at 11 am, when they will seek their 10^th straight victory.

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.

The scores:

DLSU(54) – Claro 12, Abaca 10, Castillo 9, Revillosa 7, Roxas 4, Vergara 4, Vela 3, Gonzales 2, Oyao 2, Penaranda 1, Dagdagan 0, Ong 0, Arciga 0.

FEU(43) – Arellado 12, Castro 12, Okunlola 8, Adriano 3, Ballecer 2, Payadon 2, Abat 2, Baldonado 2, Ventura 0, Hortaleza 0, Quiapo 0.

 Quarter scores: 11-9, 27-17, 33-27, 54-43.