The DLSU Lady Archers soared back to the winning column, surging past the UE Lady Warriors in an 82-72 thriller to clinch a redemption victory in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament last night, October 29, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Taking the reins for DLSU, Aeisha Dizon delivered a stellar 15-point performance, hauling in seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals, while Kyla Go dominated with 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals to anchor La Salle’s triumph.
In a losing effort, Sybil Oñate led the charge for the UE Lady Warriors, firing a 24-point output on an impressive 81.8-percent field-goal efficiency, along with four rebounds, two steals, and an assist.
Nailing the line
Hungry to bounce back from their previous defeat, the DLSU Lady Archers banked on their sharp free-throw shooting to command the ship early against the UE Lady Warriors. Donning their signature green, the Lady Archers immediately flexed their scoring prowess with an early six-point cushion capped by Patricia Mendoza’s consecutive baskets, 8-2. The momentum continued with Go’s tenacious drive to the hoop, coupled with a pair of free throws, stretching La Salle’s lead to eight, 12-4.
Five minutes into the game, the Green-and-White’s stifling defense had UE struggling, connecting on just one of nine attempts, forcing the Lady Warriors to call for a timeout. Despite Kezza Buscar getting UE back on the board, Go’s inside bucket and foul shot extended DLSU’s advantage, 19-6. UE’s defensive efforts could not stop DLSU from exploiting fouls and converting clutch free throws as the Lady Archers closed out the opening quarter in control, 22-12.
The second quarter saw the Taft-based squad’s struggle from the outside, but the Lady Warriors’ missed rebounds and turnovers kept the Lady Archers in control, with Shantei Dizon, Mendoza, and Princess Villarin launching inside baskets and penalty shots to halt UE’s short run, 29-19. Delos Reyes then hit La Salle’s first three-pointer to extend the cushion, 32-19. Oñate answered back, attacking the paint thrice to cut the deficit to six. Despite this, the Lady Archers maintained control, igniting fast-break opportunities and punctuating the quarter with a wide-open three from Go, ending the frame with a dominant 40-31 advantage.
Continuous downpour
Capitalizing on the momentum during their first half, the DLSU Lady Archers headed into the third quarter with a sense of purpose and tenacity. As the period started, UE’s offensive line of Ronquillo and Oñate trimmed the lead down to 47-42. Unfettered by the pressure, the Lady Archers did not falter and displayed an offensive clinic with a precise pick-and-roll action between Lubrico and Sunga, producing crucial counterpunches for timely three-point baskets by the Lady Archers to close out the third quarter with a strong 12-3 run, 63-50.
With a sizable lead, the Taft-based squad did not let up and took their foot off the gas pedal. In the last leg, the Green-and-White’s stifling defense remained firm. Go delivered aggressive drives, getting rewarded with trips to the charity stripe and converting.
The final minutes of the quarter did not shake the Lady Archers’ grit as Villarin and Go made sure that a new possession was made out of the misses by boxing out and rebounding for the Green-and-White. Go kept her aggressive attempts, chipping in with key jumpshots and taking advantage of the charity stripe while slicing through the UE defense. The DLSU Lady Archers successfully repelled the UE Lady Warriors’ assault with an 82-72 victory, proving that they have recalibrated and restored their aim.
The Green-and-White look to maintain their composure in their next outing against the NU Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, November 2, at the same venue.
The Scores:
DLSU 82 – Go 23, Dizon A. 15, Delos Reyes 7, Mendoza 7, Anastacio 6, Sunga 6, Lubrico 5, Dizon S. 4, Villarin 3, Camba 2, Catalan 2, Dela Paz 2, Araza 0, Villapando 0
UE 72 – Oñate 24, Ronquillo 18, Gullim 8, Buscar 6, Yanez 6, Dalguntas 5, Vacalares 5, Delig 0, Ramos 0, Salise 0, Trinidad 0
Quarter Scores: 22-12, 40-31, 63-50, 82-72
