Redeeming themselves after a tough loss, the DLSU Lady Archers bagged a win against the AdU Lady Falcons, 75-65, earlier today, October 22, at the Ynares Center Antipolo. The team ends the first round with a 5-2 win-loss record.
Lee Sario exploded in the outing for DLSU, scoring 26 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and securing three steals. Joehanna Arciga also showed out, tallying 15 points to go with 11 boards, while Charmain Torres and Fina Niantcho each scored 11 markers—with the latter also pulling down a double-double with 10 rebounds.
In a brave effort for AdU, Victoria Adeshina recorded 18 points to go with 17 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block. Rose Ann Dampios also chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds, while Angela Alaba poured in 12 markers.
Attacking with grit
The Lady Archers and the Lady Falcons went at each other from the get-go, with the first quarter seeing four lead changes already. At the end of the opening frame, it was the Lady Falcons who held a slim one-point lead, 17-16.
Both sides’ offenses buckled at the start of the second period as their respective defenses canceled each other out. La Salle looked to push the tempo on the open floor versus Adamson’s press and slowly carved out a lead for themselves. They were led by veteran Torres, whose aggression on the break sparked the Green and White to a seven-point lead as the Soaring Falcons called a timeout with five minutes remaining in the first half, 28-21.
The team from Taft’s lead reached as much as 10 after a Sario three-pointer, 33-23. Dampios then sparked her side back into the game with a pair of three-pointers, forcing DLSU head coach Cholo Villanueva to call a timeout with just over three minutes remaining in the second frame as his team’s lead dwindled to four. Arciga answered the call, going to work in the post to help push her team’s advantage back up to eight, 39-31, going into the halftime break.
Racking up
Maintaining their consistent plays, the Lady Archers put in their best effort to pull away in the third quarter. Sario scored consistently for La Salle, powering through Adamson’s defense with a layup. Subsequently, their jumpshot followed by a free throw put DLSU up, 48-42. For the opposition, Angela Alaba was able to convert a three to cut the lead. Sario then set out by scoring a three from the corner, 56-45.
An exchange of baskets came down in the last quarter. Adamson’s A. Alaba scored with a scoop layup to bolster Dampios’ three-pointer, 57-52. Following this, Arciga and Sario cemented their dominance with a jump shot to put La Salle up further, 65-58. With one minute and 20 seconds remaining, DLSU’s momentum took a pause as Niantcho had to be taken off the court on a stretcher after sustaining an injury.
With 39 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, a steal from the Lady Falcons gave them the opportunity to convert a layup by Leslie Flor, 72-65. After a foul by Dampios, Jimenez was awarded two more free throws to put DLSU up, 75-65, and secure the game.
Despite her scoring spree with 26 points, Sario was quick to deflect praise saying, “Actually, I just [played] my role on offense and on defense…If I’m open I [have to shoot] it.”
While DLSU head coach Villanueva and his team have much to be proud about after their first-round performance, the Lady Archers’ mentor knows that they still have a long road to go this season. “It’s gonna be tougher going into that second round. We’re going to be celebrating the first round today, but tomorrow it’s back to work,” he stresses.
The Lady Archers end the first round as the third seed with a 5-2 win-loss record. They look to continue their winning form as they await the second round of UAAP Season 85.
The Scores:
DLSU 72 – Sario 26, Arciga 15, Torres 11, Niantcho 11, Dalisay 3, Jimenez 2, Ahmed 2, Espinas 2, de la Paz 0, Binaohan 0
AdU 65 – Adeshina 18, Dampios 16, Angela Alaba 12, Padilla 6, Angeline Alaba 4, Agojo 3, Flor 2, Etang 2, Menlano 2, Catulong 0, Tano 0, Carcallas 0, Ornopia 0, De la Cruz 0
Quarter scores: 16-17, 39-31, 56-47, 72-65
