The DLSU Lady Archers were unable to overcome an early 19-point deficit as they were upset by the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 66-62, earlier today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. While La Salle was able to come back and even take the lead, late in the game, FEU played more efficiently down the stretch to seal the game.
Camille Claro and Kat Nuñez each scored 10 points in the game, while Joahanna Arciga and Chay Vergara each had nine points and five rebounds in the losing effort. Meanwhile, FEU’s Loraine Ventura finished with a game-high of 13 points. Maria Balleser and Princess Jumuad each scored 10 points for the Lady Tamaraws, with the former even grabbing seven rebounds.
First half
The Lady Tamaraws came out on all cylinders early in the game, blitzing the DLSU passing lanes and causing trouble for the La Salle offense. On the offensive end, FEU was fueled by Yetunde Okunlola, who was getting her way in the paint against the La Salle frontline. The Lady Archers trailed, 12-25, at the end of the first quarter.
FEU continued to control the game at the start of the second quarter, as it opened the period on an 8-2 run. Chay Vergara went on a personal 6-0 run of her own, but the Lady Tamaraws were relentless on both ends of the court. The team from Recto was quicker to chasing loose balls and gave the Lady Archers a difficult time in getting into the paint. The backcourt combination of Arellado and Capua, who combined to score nine points in the quarter, outplayed the DLSU guards. However, La Salle closed the first half with six unanswered points to cut the lead to a manageable 13 point deficit.
Second half
After the halftime break, the Lady Archers showed more energy going into the third quarter. Fueled by its full-court pressure, the Green-and-White held FEU to only eight points in the period. As a result of their defense, the Lady Archers were able to get easy points on the fastbreak to chip away at the Lady Tamaraws’ lead. After a Vergara three-pointer in the closing minute of the quarter, DLSU trailed only by six, 51-45.
In the fourth quarter, Kat Nuñez was the spark for the Lady Archers as she immediately scored six points to tie the game at 51. While Valerie Mamaril hit a three-pointer to keep FEU in front, Jamie Roxas converted a layup and a bonus free throw to give La Salle its first lead of the game, 58-56. It was FEU that eventually held the lead, 64-60, with a minute remaining behind eight consecutive points from Jumuad to answer every DLSU basket. While the Lady Archers had opportunities to tie the game or take the lead in the final minute, missed free throws and a costly traveling violation put an end to the La Salle comeback.
Rebounds proved to be the difference in the game as the Lady Tamaraws outrebounded the Green-and-White, 51-36. While La Salle forced more turnovers than they committed, FEU was able to capitalize more on the errors committed by the Lady Archers into points. The game turned out to be a close encounter in the end, but a first half marred by cold shooting and careless ball handling proved to be too much for DLSU to overcome.The Lady Archers will look to bounce back on Saturday, November 5, at 8 am versus the UE Lady Warriors at the same venue.
The Scores:
FEU 66– Ventura 13, Balleser 10, Jumuad 10, Arellado 9, Mamaril 8, Capua 7, Okunlola 6, Gerner 3, Ouano 0, Payadon 0
DLSU 62– Claro 10, Nunez 10, Arciga 9, Vergara 9, Roxas 7, Castillo 6, Penaranda 5, Dagdagan 2, Vela 2, Ali Mohamed El Hadad 2, Gonzales 0
Quarter Scores: 12-25, 28-41, 45-51, 62-66
