Angeline Alaba’s three-pointer in the final two minutes lifted the Adamson Lady Falcons past the UP Fighting Maroons, 66-59, in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Adamson looked headed for an easy win after building a 27-10 lead early in the second quarter. UP fought back, though, cutting the deficit to five, 33-38, at halftime and taking a 48-47 lead after three quarters.
The game stayed tight going into the final two minutes, with Adamson holding a one-point lead. Alaba then hit a 3-pointer to make it 63-59 with 1:44 remaining, and the Lady Falcons held UP scoreless over the final 2:05 to seal the win.
“We’re just taking it one game at a time, especially that the Final Four race is heating up and it’s tighter than ever,” said Adamson head coach Jed Colonia. “What I told the girls lang before the game is this is an opportunity for us to separate the standings.”
Elaine Etang led the Lady Falcons with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Alaba added 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block off the bench, while Kemi Adeshina chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds.
For UP, Shanina Tapawan finished with 11 points, while Louna Ozar contributed 10.
UST Routs La Salle to Stay Unbeaten
Earlier that day, the UST Growling Tigresses stayed unbeaten with a 97-74 rout of the La Salle Lady Archers.
UST led 43-30 at halftime and kept attacking the gaps in La Salle’s zone defense after the break. The Growling Tigresses’ lead reached as many as 28 points at 92-64 in the fourth quarter.
“I told them that we were shooting poorly sa three-point shots natin,” said UST head coach Haydee Ong. “Pero, I told the girls, just keep shooting basta libre.”
Brigette Santos led the Growling Tigresses with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Karylle Sierba added 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, Oma Onianwa posted a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Erinn McAlary chipped in 10 points and 3 rebounds.
For La Salle, Marga Dueñas finished with 18 points and 4 rebounds. Kyla Go had 17 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals, while Bukky Ojo contributed 17 points and 9 rebounds.
FEU Cruises Past UE
The FEU Lady Tamaraws, meanwhile, cruised past the UE Lady Warriors, 81-63.
FEU raced to a 32-12 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. UE managed to cut the deficit to 13 in the fourth, but Victoria Pasilang and Amyah Espanol answered with timely baskets to restore FEU’s cushion.
“I think ‘yung nasa game plan namin coming into this game, ‘yung mentality was to control our standings because we know how tight it is,” said FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy. “Kung nasaan kami ngayon, it’s because of our defense, and we rely on our defense.”
Pasilang led the Lady Tamaraws with 21 points. Espanol posted a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, Maxene Dela Torre added 14 points, and Erica Lopez chipped in 11.
For UE, Rachel Lacayanga finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 steals, while Sy Oñate contributed 13 points.
Adamson will next face UE on Saturday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Later that day at 12:00 p.m., UP will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Meanwhile, UST will next face FEU on Sunday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the same venue. Earlier that day at 12:00 p.m., La Salle will face the NU Lady Bulldogs.
