FEU dismantles UE, posts first win in women’s basketball
Far Eastern University earned its first win under Raiza Palmera-Dy’s mentoring after denying University of the East’s comeback attempt, 62-52, at the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, September 18.
The Lady Tamaraws held their ground despite missing Josee Kaputu, who suffered an ACL tear in her left knee during their game against National University last Saturday.
FEU established a pivotal run of 43-21 at halftime courtesy of Maxene Dela Torre, MJ Manguiat, Shane Salvani, and Rea Ong, who combined for eight three-pointers as opposed to UE who missed all of their 11 attempts after grappling with their perimeter shooting.
Despite stumbling in the first half, the Lady Warriors pushed through and withstood the might of their opponents in the fourth quarter, propelled through the efforts of Rachel Lacayanga, Dominique Vacalares, Kate Cruz, and Aliyah Ronquillo.
It was almost but not quite for UE as their late-game surge proved to be too late when Salvani’s free throws with 13.1 seconds left sealed the victory for FEU.
“It feels good to be here. This is what winning feels like. I will look for this feeling. But of course, this win is because of what the players did inside the court,” said FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy, who saw her team improve to a 1-2 record and occupy sixth place in the standings.
Dela Torre top-scored for the Lady Tamaraws with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Manguiat and Salvani scored nine and eight, respectively.
Ong and Erica Lopez, on the other hand, produced seven apiece in the breakthrough victory.
The Lady Warriors remained winless in three games and the loss marks their 40th consecutive defeat dating back to Season 82.
Rachel Lacayanga fueled UE with 19 markers on 7-of-25 shooting from the field with eight boards as well. Ronquillo chimed in with 11 points, while Cruz and Vacalares scored eight and seven, respectively.
FEU will seek to overcome University of the Philippines on Sunday, September 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, aiming to capture another win, while UE will attempt to secure its first win against De La Salle University slated to play on the same day.
The Scores:
FEU 62 – Dela Torre 16, Manguiat 9, Salvani 8, Ong 7, Lopez 7, Pasilang 5, Nagma 2, Paras 2, Villanueva 2, Gavaran 2, Pagtielan 2, Libor 0, Mendaros 0.
UE 56 – Lacayanga 19, Ronquillo 11, Cruz 8, Vacalares 7, Kone 6, Yanes 3, Ganade 2, Buscar 0, Ruiz 0, Delig 0, Lumibao 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 43-21, 54-32, 62-56.
