The FEU Lady Tamaraws ended a 13-year drought against the NU Lady Bulldogs with an 85-81 win in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
FEU led 50-41 at halftime, but NU chipped away in the third quarter, and Kristine Cayabyab’s three cut the deficit to two, 63-65, heading into the final period. Aloha Betanio then hit back-to-back threes to give NU its first lead since the opening quarter, 72-67.
The two teams traded baskets from there. Victoria Pasilang’s three put FEU back in front, 78-77, but Cayabyab answered with a layup to give NU an 81-79 lead with just over a minute left.
Amyah Espanol took over from there, scoring back-to-back baskets to put FEU back on top. Cayabyab missed a fadeaway jumper that could have tied the game, and Espanol sealed the win with two free throws in the final eight seconds.
“This is just a testament that we can do it. We don’t have the height, and we don’t have the most talented team,” said FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy. “For us, ‘yung game plan worked well today.”
Espanol led the Lady Tamaraws with a career-high 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. Shane Salvani added 19 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals, while Erica Lopez chipped in 11 points.
For NU, Cielo Pagdulagan finished with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Ann Pingol had 12 points and 8 rebounds, while Marylene Solis contributed 11 points.
Ateneo Grounds Adamson
Later that day, the Ateneo Blue Eagles pulled away from the Adamson Lady Falcons, 70-52.
Adamson erased an early 14-point deficit with a 14-3 run to tie the game at 35 at halftime. Ateneo regained control in the third quarter, rebuilding a 14-point lead even with Kacey Dela Rosa on the bench in foul trouble. The Blue Eagles kept rolling in the fourth, holding Adamson to just 7 points in the period and stretching the lead to as many as 21.
“Start pa lang ng second round, mindset namin we need to win all games,” said Ateneo head coach PJ Navarro. “Unfortunately, ‘di kami nakalusot sa NU, but for now, we’re happy for the win, and we have five more games.”
Seng Calago led the Blue Eagles with a double-double of 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Dela Rosa added 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, while Kai Oani chipped in 11 points.
For Adamson, Elaine Etang finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals, while Angeline Alaba had 11 points and 6 rebounds.
FEU will next face the UE Lady Warriors on Wednesday, November 4, at 10:00 a.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Later that day, at 12:00 p.m., Adamson will face the UP Fighting Maroons.
Meanwhile, Ateneo will next face UP on Saturday, November 7, at 12:00 p.m. at the same venue, while NU will take on the La Salle Lady Archers on Sunday, November 8, at 10:00 a.m.
