The DLSU Lady Archers fell to the UST Growling Tigresses in a lopsided defeat, 91-57, as they remain without a win in Season 86, earlier today, October 8, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
As the only Lady Archer in double figures, Luisa San Juan top scored once again for DLSU with 14 points but struggled from the field, making only five of her 18 field goal attempts. Bettina Binaohan and Lee Sario each contributed eight points in the lopsided loss for their side.
For the Growling Tigresses, Ana Tacatac went off with 25 points—21 of which came from three-pointers. Brigette Santos also tallied double figures with 14 points to go along with six assists and an astounding six steals. Three other UST cagers were in double figures as Reynalyn Ferrer and reigning most valuable player (MVP) Eka Soriano each scored 11 and Rocel Dionisio tallied 10 on perfect shooting from the field.
One-sided matchup
Going against an intact UST team that was one of the best last UAAP Season 85, the Lady Archers looked to set the pace early. However, La Salle was hit by a barrage early on as UST built a 20-point advantage, 24-4, within the game’s first five minutes. The team from España controlled both ends of the court, hitting threes while also creating numerous turnovers with their stifling defense that led to easy fastbreak points.
The Growling Tigresses also dominated the glass, leading to multiple second-chance opportunities. The lead ballooned to as big as 24 in the opening quarter as the Green and White were thoroughly outclassed by the hosts, 35-12.
La Salle’s offense started to gain ground in the second quarter with two consecutive threes from San Juan. However, the Taft-based squad was still unable to deal with UST’s red-hot offense, spearheaded by Tacatac’s 11 points in the period. The Lady Archers were able to cut the deficit to as low as 15, 34-49, but their offense gradually began to falter again due to the Growling Tigresses’ defensive pressure. Ultimately, La Salle’s 21 turnovers, compared to just seven for UST, was the story of the first period as they fell behind 54-36 at halftime.
Slipping down
The Lady Archers entered the second half with renewed vigor, actively communicating on defense and rotating efficiently. They managed to find clear looks but their offensive struggles continued. Both sides only had a basket apiece at the 6:32 mark when DLSU Head Coach Cholo Villanueva called for time. Coming off of a 29-point explosion in their previous outing, San Juan struggled this time around. She managed to find her range for a three, 59-41, as La Salle refused to back down.
However, the floodgates reopened for UST in the closing minutes of the third. Tacatac drilled back-to-back three-pointers to keep the Green and White at a distance at the end of the third, 70-46.
With the game getting further away from DLSU once again, it was Soriano who proved to be their demise. After sitting much of the third period, the reigning MVP secured the win for her side with three daggers from beyond the arc, 83-52. La Salle’s Ann Mendoza kept up the fight for her side as she continued to attack the basket, but the damage had already been done. At the final buzzer, the young La Salle side were slapped with their third loss of the season, 91-57.
After his side committed an extensive 30 turnovers that led to a total of 32 points for their opponents, DLSU Head Coach Villanueva pointed towards taking care of the ball as the main point of improvement for the team. He shares, “[Our turnovers] are what’s killing us in [these games]. We had 30 turnovers. Hopefully, we will limit these in our next game.”
He further emphasized the need for being patient with the players’ development as most of the Lady Archers handling the ball are in their first or second years of playing.
Looking to shake off their slow start to the tournament, the DLSU Lady Archers will look to finally get a win to their name as they take on the AdU Lady Falcons—who are also winless in the competition—this coming Wednesday, October 11, at 11 am at the Adamson Gym.
The Scores:
DLSU 57 – San Juan 14, Binaohan 8, Sario 8, Paraiso 7, Mendoza 6, de la Paz 4, Dalisay 4, Bojang 4, de los Reyes 2, Villava-Cua 2, Bacierto 0
UST 91 – Tacatac 25, Santos 14, Ferrer 11, Soriano 11, Dionisio 10, Maglupay 6, Ambos 5, Bron 4, Pastrana 2, Ly 2, Villasin 1, Danganan 0, Serrano 0, Amatong 0
Quarter Scores: 35-12, 54-36, 70-46, 91-57
