Eli Delos Reyes’ fastbreak layup with 3.7 seconds left lifted the La Salle Lady Archers past the NU Lady Bulldogs, 84-83, in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
NU controlled most of the game, leading 53-45 at halftime and 72-65 after three quarters. La Salle then rallied in the fourth behind Kyla Go and Bukky Ojo, outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 19-11 in the period to get back into the game.
With the game on the line, Go found Delos Reyes streaking to the basket, and the veteran wing, who hadn’t scored all game, finished the layup to give La Salle the lead. On NU’s final possession, Ojo contested Marga Villanueva’s three-point attempt, and the Lady Archers held on for the upset.
“It was a very hard game for us,” said La Salle head coach Cholo Villanueva. “That’s why this is a character win for us.”
Go led the Lady Archers with 32 points, while Ojo posted a monster double-double of 24 points and 24 rebounds.
For NU, Cielo Pagdulagan finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 steals. Ann Pingol had 16 points and 8 assists, Kristine Cayabyab added 12, and Zaydhen Rosano contributed 11.
UST Stays Perfect With Rout of FEU
Later that day, the UST Growling Tigresses stayed unbeaten and booked a Final Four spot with a 95-48 rout of the FEU Lady Tamaraws.
UST took control early behind Oma Onianwa, who scored 23 points in the first half alone. Her layup with 1:19 left in the second quarter made it 53-27, and the Growling Tigresses kept pulling away after the break. The lead reached 47 when Grachelle Boteros made a free throw with 40 seconds left to make it 95-48.
UST played without head coach Haydee Ong, who served a one-game suspension for her third infraction of the season.
“We’re not quite there yet, still a work in progress, but slowly we’re reaping some of the seeds that we’ve already planted,” said UST assistant coach Sen Dysangco.
Onianwa led the Growling Tigresses with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Karylle Sierba added 13 points off the bench, while Brigette Santos chipped in 12.
For FEU, Victoria Pasilang finished with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Amyah Espanol had 13 points, while Elaine Patio contributed 10.
La Salle will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, November 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Earlier that day, at 10:00 a.m., UST will face the UE Lady Warriors, while NU takes on the Adamson University Lady Falcons at 12:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, FEU will next face the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, November 14, at 12:00 p.m. at the same venue.
