AFTER POOR shooting handed the Ateneo Lady Eagles their second loss against the Adamson Lady Falcons, the same problem would come back to haunt them in another defeat on August 3 at the Blue Eagle Gym.
This time however, it was to the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 53-32, the lowest scoring output the Lady Eagles have put up so far this season.
Making only 9 of 51—merely 17.5% of their shots from all areas of the court—the Lady Eagles struggled the entire game when it came to making baskets. Lockdown defense by the Lady Tamaraws often prevented Ateneo from finding open shots.
The first quarter featured a slow start for both teams. Two lead changes during the first minutes were to be capped off with FEU taking a four-point lead at the end of the quarter, 12-8.
The Morayta-based squad would dominate the first four minutes of the second quarter, scoring eight points while keeping the Lady Eagles from getting on the score board. Samantha Ong would break the drought with a three with 5:30 remaining on the clock and cut FEU’s lead to single digits, 20-11.
A mini-run by the Lady Eagles reduced their deficit to just five points, but the Lady Tamaraws fought back, ending the second quarter with a three with just 3 seconds remaining, bringing their lead back to 10. Both teams headed to the locker rooms with FEU on top, 26-16.
After the break, the teams would start slowly again. The Lady Tamaraws scoring just 8 points, with two coming off free throws following a technical foul tagged on one of Ateneo’s assistant coaches. Danica Jose and Sarah Mercado attempted to provide the Lady Eagles with buckets—especially during the latter’s three trips to the line—but only managed to score four and three points respectively. FEU would end the third with a seven-point lead, 34-27.
The final quarter would prove to be the worst for the Lady Eagles, as they only managed to score five points compared to FEU’s 19, with Ateneo’s only field goal being a Sara Bo-ot three during the dying minutes of the game. Prior to that, FEU would make shots in quick succession, including a three by Raiza Palmera followed by a quick steal then layup.
That was enough to hand the Lady Eagles their second straight loss, with their record now at 2-3. No player in blue walked off the court in double digits.
After the game, Lady Eagle Coach Chris Quimpo commented regarding his team’s performance, “We need more confidence. Unfortunately, not everyone fights. The secret ingredient, I believe, is that the girls realize their full potential, and they can do it. As I said before, we have a young team, and that’s one hump that we need to overcome, but right now we just can’t.”
When asked about their next game, Coach Q said, “I’m gonna start planning for the game tonight.”
The Lady Eagles face a daunting task as they go up against arch-rivals La Salle on August 7, Sunday, at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Scoring Leaders:
FEU, 53: Lim 18, Palmera 15, Sambile 11, Soriano 4, Columna 2, Yazon 2, Valenzona 1, Rosaldo 0, Tiu 0, Supnet 0, Regidor 0, Borja 0, Albano 0
ADMU, 32: Mercado 7, Jose 6, Chua 6, Dimaano 4, Bo-ot 3, Ong 3, Tiu 2, Estrada 1, Aseron 0, Tantoco 0, Castro 0
Quarter scores: 12-8, 26-16, 34-27, 53-32
