The DLSU Lady Archers were unable to earn their first UAAP Season 86 win after falling to their arch rival ADMU Blue Eagles in a neck-and-neck overtime matchup earlier today, October 4, at the Adamson Gym.
In a brave effort of the Green and White, sharpshooter Luisa San Juan led all scorers in the game with 29 points after making seven three-pointers on 46.7 percent shooting from behind the arc. Also chipping in double-digits was Luisa de la Paz with 14 points to go sling with seven boards and four assists in an all-around performance.
For the team from Katipunan, Junize Calago led the win with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Three other Blue Eagles tallied double-figure markers, with Kacey Dela Rosa putting up 14, Sarah Makanjuola tallying 13, and Jhazmin Joson recording 11.
A fight from the start
The DLSU Lady Archers once again started off slow as they struggled to get into the paint with the ADMU Blue Eagles’ bigs taking command inside. Calago and Dela Rosa punished the Lasallian defenders as they were able to get early buckets for their side, 5-0. However, Lee Sario answered the early call for La Salle as she chipped in four points, 5-4. The two sides were unable to build a comfortable lead until San Juan sparked the plug for the Green and White after bringing three three-pointers and a floater in the first quarter alone, ending it at 23-19.
The Taft-based squad kept their hot streak from the perimeter during the second quarter as de la Paz and San Juan hit early three-pointers to give the Lady Archers a ten-point lead, 31-21. But the Blue Eagles iced the Lasallian euphoria as Calago and Dela Rosa again answered with two close-range shots to influence Coach Cholo Villanueva to call a timeout, 31-25.
Even then, Calago’s hand proved to be too hot after firing with five points to cut the La Salle lead down to three, 31-28. At some point, it seemed as though the Lady Archers found their groove back, but a collective effort from the Blue Eagles and a late Ylssa Eufemiano three allowed the Blue Eagles to take back their lead going into halftime, 39-38.
Pushing the limits
The Lady Archers came out of halftime with the same perimeter threat with de la Paz draining a three-pointer right off the bat. However, the Blue Eagles matched the Lasallian grit as the two sides traded baskets throughout the third quarter, as Aishie Solis and Calago kept their hot hand. The Lady Archers did not let their rivals pull away and build momentum as Binaohan found her range to make two three-pointers, and San Juan kept her confidence in shooting from deep, 53-all.
The fourth quarter started with the two teams once again trading baskets to keep their pride, but a Jhazmin Joson three-pointer and a Makanjula layup caused worry on the Lasallian bench, 60-55. The Lasallians looked to find a way to keep the scoreline close by turning to their inside shots, but the Blue Eagles kept their long-range shots a threat, forcing Angel Vilava-Cua and San Juan to keep the Lady Archers in the game even with their own three-pointers, 63-67.
Lee Sario then stepped up to the occasion when she scored two clutch baskets to keep her team within striking distance. San Juan hit another three-pointer to cut the Blue Eagles’ lead down to two, 70-72. However, with 16.8 seconds on the clock, La Salle tested their blushes as they committed a late foul to send Vilacruz to the free throw line where she missed both chances, 70-72. Bernice Paraiso then grabbed the loose ball before she was fouled and sent to the line. She kept her cool and sank both charity shots to send the game to overtime, 72-72.
Heartbreaking end
Overtime started with the two sides once again trading baskets amid their fatigue. However, the Lady Archers looked like they lost their cool as they allowed the Blue Eagles to pull away with a Joson three-pointer and a foul on Calago, 78-74. Paraiso and San Juan teamed up to respond to Calago’s late hot hand to keep the Lasallians within two points, but a Joson three-pointer at the one-minute mark proved to be the dagger to kill any hope of a Lasallian comeback, 85-80. Coach Villanueva called a timeout to will his team back into belief, but a late turnover that led to a Katelyn Cancio layup put the game to bed, 87-80.
As one of the main holdovers on the relatively young Lady Archers roster, Sario explains that it wasn’t a matter of talent that decided the game’s ending but rather character. She shares, “As what coach said, we lack pride during crunch time. The other team wanted it more than us.”
The shifty wing furthers about the outcome against their rivals, “During the end game…it wasn’t about the skills, it wasn’t about who was the smartest. It was about who had the heart, who wanted it more.”
After their rough start to Season 86, Sario hopes to lead the team by example as they look to get on track in their next outing versus the UST Growling Tigresses on Sunday, October 8, 1 pm at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Scores:
DLSU 80 – San Juan 29, de la Paz 14, Binaohan 9, Paraiso 9, Sario 8, Mendoza 6, Villava-Cua 3, de los Reyes 2, Bacierto 0, Bojang 0, Catalan 0
ADMU 87- Calago 22, Dela Rosa 14, Makanjuola 13, Joson 11, Solis 9, Cancio 7, Villacruz 6, Eufemiano 3, Gastador 2, Angala 0
Quarter Scores: 19-23, 39-38, 53-53, 72-72, 87-80
