THE LADY Eagles defeated the third-seeded University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 65-62 on Saturday, November 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. The first matchup of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Final Four round proved to be another do-or-die affair for the Lady Eagles, who were coming off an elimination playoff win against the University of Santo Tomas.
The Lady Warriors started the game with a full court press but the Blue and White matched their opponents with their agility, leading to points off the recovering UE defense. The Lady Eagles’ ball rotation and outlet passing proved to be effective, especially when Hazelle Yam and co. found easy drives and layups that resulted in a comfortable five-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Blue and White started to slip away from the Lady Warriors with a 13-point lead at the halfway point of the second quarter. Center Danica Jose’s mere presence, along with the rest of the Atenean defense, allowed just seven points in the last seven minutes of the first half. In addition to the sterling defense, Katrina Guytinco and Akiko Tomita stepped up to score 10 points each off the bench to hold off the Lady Warriors.
Crunch time found Jose on the floor holding on to her ankle. Visibly limping on the court during the following possession, Jose was then hit on the chin, which put her to the line with six seconds remaining in the game. She calmly sank both to secure a three-point lead, giving the ball back to UE in what would be their last possession of the season.
As a graduating player, Jose said she is relishing the matchups they are facing. “I don’t wanna finish my career not being part [of the finals],” she said. On her right ankle sprain, Head Coach Erika Dy assured that her starting center would play in their next game.
Yam and Jose led the Lady Eagles with 17 points apiece. Although the Lady Eagles held a 14-5 advantage in the assists department, Jose noted how they were out hustled of the glass, 38-56.
Yam and Jose paced the Blue and White with 17 points apiece but also recorded five turnovers each. Caramia Buendia led the team in rebounds with nine boards, while Jose proved to be a defensive anchor after she recorded four blocked shots.
On the other end, Lady Warrior Ruthlaine Tacula clocked in a double-double performance with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Love Joy Sto. Domingo followed her teammate up with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Eunique Chan dominated the boards with a whopping 19 rebounds.
This win advances the Lady Eagles to the semifinal round of the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Basketball tournament, where they will be face twice-to-beat De La Salle University on Wednesday, November 25.
Box Scores:
Ateneo 65 – Jose 17, Yam 17, Guytingco 10, Tomita 10, Go 7, Buendia 2, Nitorreda 2, Javier 0, Aseron 0, Deacon 0, Lamar 0
UE 62 – Tacula 17, Sto. Domingo 16, Ano-os 11, Mendina 8, Chan 7, Taguiam 3, Ramos 0, Sampaga 0, Francisco 0
Quarter Scores: 21-16, 35-29, 53-50, 65-62
