Earlier today, the DLSU Lady Archers were defeated by the UST Golden Tigresses, 68-65, at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Both the team from Taft and the team from España concluded the second round with an 8-6 win-loss record.
Aurea Larosa helped UST win their eighth win of the season with 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Grace Irebu was the only other Golden Tigress who scored in double digits as she chipped in 13 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists.
With the loss, Ana Castillo spearheaded the Green-and-White with 16 points. Meanwhile, Lady Archers Kathleen Nuñez and Benette Revillosa contributed 14 and 11 points, respectively. Additionally, team captain Camille Claro also added 10 points to the team’s tally.
Keeping it even
Bettina Binaohan shed first blood for the Lady Archers with a basket at the three-point line. The first quarter began with both teams defending their posts to prevent each other from scoring for four whole minutes.
It was only with three minutes left when the quarter started to heat up. With Nuñez and Charmaine Torres’ combination in the court, the first quarter ended with La Salle ahead by seven points, 17-10.
Unfortunately, in the second quarter, the Green-and-White had difficulty due to the continuous turnovers from the team. After a three-pointer by Ruby Portillo, the Golden Tigresses garnered momentum and cut the deficit from seven to a tie at the 7:05 mark.
Nonetheless, Castillo and Claro made sure that the Lady Archers would not be too far behind. Despite their efforts to push forward and try to get ahead, DLSU only scored 11 points compared to UST’s 21, losing to the Lady Tigers at the end of the second period, 28-31.
Banking on the charity stripe
Both teams looked to outrun each other and capitalize on their opportunities. Trading baskets on both ends, Claro paced the Green-and-White during the opening moments of the half with five straight points, highlighted by a three-pointer in the 7:53 mark of the third quarter. Afterwards, UST went on a 5-0 run to take a 38-33 lead instigated by Larosa. From the 4:56 mark onwards, both teams traded baskets consecutively, scoring off of jumpers and free throws. However, the team from España came out on top as they sealed a 10-point lead over the Lasallians by the end of the third period, 54-44.
Nonetheless, La Salle urged to fight on throughout the period. UST would ultimately come up on top with a gritty fourth quarter performance on both ends of the court. Things started to unravel for La Salle when UST took a commanding 59-47 lead at the 8:41 mark of the fourth off a key jumper by Irebu. With the game slowly slipping away, the Lady Archers willed their way back behind Revillosa, Castillo, and Nuñez to keep the team alive through the charity stripe, and to cut the lead to one point, 66-65.
But the rally proved to be too late, as DLSU failed to convert in the waning seconds. Crucial free throws made by Ruby Portillo salvaged the win for UST, extending their lead to three points, 68-65, with 1:15 remaining in the game. Despite the fact that the Taft-based squad scored 21 more points compared to UST’s 14, the match ended with the Golden Tigresses handing the Lady Archers their sixth loss of the season.
As the Lady Archers capped off the second round of eliminations tied with the Golden Tigresses at fourth, both with an 8-6 win-loss record, the two teams shall vie for the last Semifinals seat in a playoff match on Wednesday, November 21.
The scores:
DLSU 65 – K. Castillo 16, Nuñez 14, Revillosa 11, Claro 10, Paraiso 5, Torres 4, Binaohan 3, Quingco 2, Arciga 0, R. Castillo 0, Del Campo 0, Jimenez 0, Espinas 0, Jajurie 0, Malarde 0
UST 68 – Larosa 25, Irebu 13, Ferrer 8, Capilit 7, Portillo 6, Aujero 4, Rivera 3, Sangalang 2, Tacatac 0, Casiano 0, Magat 0, Gonzales 0, Villar 0, Valera 0
Quarter scores: 17-10, 28-31, 44-54, 65-68
