The DLSU Lady Archers broke the ice and found themselves back in the win column after a convincing win against the UE Lady Warriors, 91-58, earlier today at the Mall of Asia arena.
Rookie Kent Pastrana led the Lady Archers, recording 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Vea Malarde also performed for the team, generating 15 points on a 55 field goal percentage, and three assists.
On the other side, Tin Cortianzo from the Lady Warriors recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the losing effort.
Head coach Cholo Villanueva had nothing but praise for the early lead that his side built, “Our rookies had [the] confidence to stay in the game, play defense, and get their rhythm in the game. So, coming off a very tough loss last game, the experience they got from that game helped a lot in this game.”
Gritty first half
The Green-and-White heated up during the first three minutes of the contest. Bennette Revillosa and Pastrana took care of the early offense, confusing the opposing defense with their inside scoring. La Salle went on a 15-0 run until the 6:38 mark where the UE Lady Warriors broke through with their first points. Both teams then continued to exchange baskets, but the Lady Warriors went into an 8-0 run off second chance points at the end of the first quarter, 26-16.
The second quarter saw the Lady Archers fighting back for more. The defensive deadlock during the early minutes of the period only generated seven points for the Taft-based squad with 5:59 left in the quarter. Consecutive baskets from Pastrana and Chuchi Paraiso at the fourth minute of the quarter sparked the Lasallian offense, giving them a big lead, 40-24.
UE kept answering back, banking on offensive rebounds and second chance points care of Princess Pedregosa and Queen Ordas. At the end of the half, however, it was DLSU who came out on top, icing it with a Malarde floater, 45-29.
Convincing second half
The Lady Archers started the third quarter exchanging buckets with the Lady Warriors until Pastrana created shots from beyond the arc at the 6:12 mark. Despite UE’s continuous conversions, Pastrana’s three three-pointers and free throws helped build DLSU’s convincing lead. The team from Taft ended the third quarter with a 20-point advantage, 67-47.
In the fourth quarter, the UE Lady Warriors’ hustle with offensive rebounds and quick transition points were halted by DLSU’s efficient scoring led by Angel Quingco and Maureen Okoli. Their presence was felt in the paint as the Green-and-White went on a 14-4 run, preventing the Red-and-White to go for quick fastbreak points. However, Quingco was unable to finish the game as she suffered an injury after attempting a basket from inside the paint. As of press time, the nature of the injury has yet to be confirmed.
The Lady Warriors were still claiming 50-50 balls and second chance attempts, but were unable to convert as they had done in the first three quarters. The Lasallians’ defense helped preserve their lead as they only allowed six points in the last five minutes of the game, ending the match at 91-58.
The DLSU Lady Archers are looking to build their momentum as they face the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, September 18 at 10 am at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The scores:
DLSU 91 – Pastrana 20, Malarde 15, Quingco 14, Revillosa 12, Sario 7, Torres 6, Okoli 6, Paraiso 4, Dalisay 4, Castillo 3
UE 58 – Cortizano 15, Pedregosa 13, Ganade 10, Ordas 7, Terrinal 5, Cuadero 4, Caraig 4
Quarter scores: 26-16, 45-29, 67-47, 91-58
