The DLSU Lady Archers failed to sustain their winning momentum after succumbing to the NU Lady Bulldogs, 81-74, in their final elimination round game yesterday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
The loss snapped a 12-game win streak by La Salle, their first defeat since losing to the same team in their season opener.
The Lady Bulldogs were paced by sharpshooter Risa Paig, who waxed hot for 18 points on six three-pointers, finishing the game with a 55-percent shooting clip. Kristine Abriam added a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead their squad to victory.
Meanwhile, DLSU leaned on Ara Abaca’s all-around effort of 18 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Ana Castillo and Snow Penaranda added 13 points each to make up for the production of star guard Camille Claro, who suffered an injury midway through the third quarter.
![IMG_2907 []](http://thelasallian.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_2907-.jpg)
Both teams played well in the opening quarter as Abaca, who had four points in the first quarter, led the way for DLSU, while Gemma Miranda scored six points to pace the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Archers trailed by only two, 20-18, after the first quarter.
The Sampaloc-based squad was able to erect a double-digit lead midway through the second quarter. Behind the hot shooting of Paig, who drilled three three-pointers during the run, the Lady Bulldogs were able to lead by as much as 15 points, 43-28, after a mid-range jumper from Abriam.
Down by 13 at the half, the Lady Archers needed a good start in the third quarter to get themselves back in the game. Instead, hot shooting from Paig and Abriam increased NU’s lead to 19 points. After a time-out, DLSU was able to respond with a run of their own, knocking down three straight three-pointers to cut the lead to 63-53 at the 1:51 mark of the third quarter. Six straight missed free throws to end the quarter cost La Salle the chance to further trim the Lady Bulldog lead. National University led the game, 67-57, after three quarters.
Not wanting to go down without a fight, La Salle tried to mount a comeback in the fourth period. Alyanna Ong hit a three-pointer to reduce the lead to single digits, 69-60. Abaca would then convert a three-point play to get within seven points with six minutes left in regulation.
However, NU’s Shelley Gupilan had other ideas as she dropped seven of her 12 points in the final quarter. Andrea Tongco would hit a three pointer to bring the lead back to 13, 81-68, to seal the game for the reigning champions.
The Lady Bulldogs relied on hot shooting to bring home the win, shooting 49 percent from the field and converting 44 percent of their three-point attempts. La Salle, on the other hand, was able to get to the free throw line but were unable to convert on most of their opportunities, missing 14 of their 28 attempts.
With the win, the Lady Bulldogs successfully swept the elimination round, giving them an automatic slot in the Finals armed with a thrice-to-beat advantage. La Salle, on the other hand, enters the stepladder playoffs as the second seed with a twice-to-beat advantage.
The scores:
NU(81) – Paig 18, Abriam 14, Gupilan 12, Tongco 12, Miranda 9, Sison 7, Nabalan 4, Itesi 3, Animam 1, Antiquera 1.
DLSU(74) – Abaca 18, Castillo 13, Penaranda 13, Ong 11, Claro 6, Vergara 5, Dagdagan 3, Roxas 3, Revillosa 2, Vela 0, Gonzales 0, Figueroa 0.
Quarter Scores: 20-18, 45-32, 67-57, 81-74
