FEU continues to pursue Final 4 spot, outlasts UE in women’s basketball

Far Eastern University has the chance to land a Final 4 spot after conquering University of the East, 57-51, in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, November 3, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. 

The Lady Warriors relied on Kamba Kone and Jearzy Ganade to trim the deficit to two points, 49-47, in the last two minutes after the Lady Tamaraws blew a 47-36 lead going into the fourth quarter. 

MJ Manguiat restored Lady Tamaraws’ rhythm as she worked with Erica Lopez and Maria Paras to thwart UE and raise FEU’s record to 3-7 tied with fifth placer UP. 

Manguiat top scored for the Lady Tamaraws with 22 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist. 

Shane Salvi only managed to finish with seven points but pulled down a game-high 10 boards, five dimes, and one rejections, while Lopez delivered an all-round statline of eight markers, four boards, four dimes, and one deflection.

"I told them, whoever is willing to fight for the team, that's who we will use and that's who will play inside the court. In these crucial moments, these are the ones we need to really step up," Lady Tamaraws head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy said.

The Lady Tamaraws look to spark a winning streak when they duel against De La Salle University on Wednesday, November 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

Meanwhile, UE suffered its 10th loss in 11 games, with Rachel Lacayanga pacing the way with 15 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

Kone finished with 12 markers, nine boards, and one deflection, while Ganade scored 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and five steals in the losing cause. 

The Scores:

FEU (57) – Manguiat 22, Lopez 8, Salvani 7, Dela Torre 6, Nagma 5, Villanueva 4, Paras 4, Pasilang 1, Ong 0.

UE (49) – Lacayanga 15, Kone 12, Ganade 10, Ronquillo 7, Vacalares 5, Cruz 2, Buscar 0, Yanez 0, Dalguntas 0, Lumibao 0.

Quarter Scores: 15-18, 31-29, 47-36, 57-51.