NU rises to 3-0, FEU posts first win in women’s basketball

MANILA, Philippines — National University unleashed a strong third quarter to dominate University of the Philippines, 76-64, for a share of the lead in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tied at 41 at the half, the Lady Bulldogs scored 16 unanswered points and outscored the Lady Maroons, 21-2, in the third quarter for a 62-43 spread heading into the final frame. UP was held to without a field goal in the pivotal third period.

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Pringle Fabruada anchored NU with 16 points and five rebounds in just close to 16 minutes of playing time. Aloha Betanio chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, and four steals, while Jainaba Konateh had 12 points and six rebounds to improve to a 3-0 record tied with defending champion University of Santo Tomas.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

“We never look at the past things already. We move forward and we play UST in the next couple of days, we prepare for them and no emotions. It’s just playing the same basketball that has to be played the right way,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan.

“This game was a game of runs. Luckily yun ngang third quarter namin we stepped on the gas, we clamped down on defense after the halftime break.”

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UP dropped to a 1-2 record with Christie Bariquit leading the way with 14 points. Achrissa Maw chipped in 12 points, while Kaye Pesquerra added 10 points and seven rebounds. 

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University finally earned its first win under new coach Raiza Palmera-Dy after surviving the University of the East, 62-56.

FEU’s Maxene Dela Torre.–UAAP PHOTO

FEU blew a 54-32 advantage in the final quarter as Aliyah Ronquillo scored five straight points to cap UE’s late surge that cut the deficit down to six, 60-54, with a minute remaining.

The Lady Tamaraws, however, were able to hold their ground before Shane Salvani sealed the win with two clutch free throws with 13.1 seconds left to improve to a 1-2 record despite losing last season’s mythical team member Josee Kaputu, who suffered a full ACL tear in her left knee against National University last Saturday.

READ: UAAP: NU Lady Bulldogs kick off redemption bid with win over La Salle

“It feels good to be here. Ganito pala pakiramdam ng panalo. Hahanap-hanapin ko yung ganitong feeling. But of course itong panalo namin it’s because of what the players did naman inside the court,” said Palmera-Dy, whose squad fired 8-of-14 from the three-point line. 

Maxene Dela Torre led the charge for FEU with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. MJ Manguiat and Salvani had nine and eight points, respectively. Rea Ong and Erica Lopez added seven each. 

With Kaputu ruling out of the season, Dy urged her wards to step up without their go-to player, who dominated last season.

“To be honest Josee joined us the last three weeks before the UAAP so sabi ko sa mga players, sumali tayo ng three tournaments during the summer without Josee so wala na masyadong difference at adjustment but of course, Josee is the best Foreign Student Athlete but sabi ko sa kanila it’s time for you to step up like Joann Nagma, Maxene, Shane, MJ,” she added. 

It was almost but not quite for UE, which remained winless in three games and suffered its 40th straight loss dating back to Season 82.

Rachel Lacayanga powered the Lady Warriors with 19 points and eight rebounds. Ronquillo chipped in 11 points, while Kate Cruz and Dominique Vacalares had eight and seven points, respectively,