THE ATENEO Lady Eagles had twenty-four turnovers in their second round opening against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, going down 48-56 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Women’s Basketball tournament.
The loss puts Ateneo in a tight spot in their Final Four bid as they fall to a record of 2-6. Meanwhile, the Lady Warriors claim solo second with a reverse 6-2 record.
Alyssa Villamor was a revelation in this game as she top scored for Ateneo with 11 points on ⅜ shooting from deep. Tina Deacon also chipped in a double-double with ten points and ten rebounds.
On the other hand, Love Sto. Domingo and Ruthlaine Tacula combined for 34 of UE’s points, scoring 18 and 16, respectively. Sto. Domingo also chipped in ten boards for a double-double of her own.
The Lady Eagles were determined to break their losing skid as they started hot in the first quarter. Ateneo unleashed a 15-6 run to start the game, with Deacon and Jolina Go combining for three triples. Deacon ended the quarter with two free-throws to extend the lead to seven, 17-10.
The Lady Warriors, however, would not relent as they went on a quick 8-0 run of their own in the second quarter, aided by numerous turnovers from the Lady Eagles. Ateneo was put on a scare as Deacon and Go both found themselves on the floor in the middle of the period. Deacon would come back later in the game, but Go would sit out the rest of the action with pain in her left thigh. The two teams continued to trade baskets, but it was UE who found themselves on top, 26-28, heading into the half.
No team had the upperhand in the third until the Lady Warriors found their groove in the middle of the quarter with a 9-0 run. The Lady Eagles would end the period with a 7-2 run, capped by a tough three from Villamor to bring the lead down to six, 40-46, entering the final frame.
Villamor hit another triple to start the fourth, but the Lady Warriors went on a 4-0 run to keep it a three-possession game. The Lady Eagles tried to mount a late comeback, but a crucial basket from Sto. Domingo sealed the win for UE. Tacula’s two free throws eventually closed the final score, 48-56.
After the game, top scorer Villamor commented on the team’s mentality of relaxing after leading early in games. “I think nag-relax kami after leading nung first quarter. Tapos na-down pa kami nung na-injure si Ate Tina [Deacon]. Pero nung lumamang na ‘yung UE, tinry pa rin naman namin humabol pero wala na talaga.”
(I think we relaxed after leading in the first quarter. Plus, we went down after Tina [Deacon] was injured. But when UE took the lead, we tried to catch up but it just wasn’t there.)
Asked to comment on the team’s turnovers, Villamor shared, “Nung first half talaga lahat kami nagmamadali at gigil kaya puro turnovers (In the first half, we all were rushing and too eager, which is why there were so many turnovers).”
The Lady Eagles remedied their turnover woes, though, in the second half. “Sinabi sa amin ni Coach John [Flores] na turnovers lang namin ang pumapatay sa amin at hindi ‘yung kalaban kaya nagising na kami (Coach John told us that only turnovers were killing us and not the opponent, which is why we woke up),” Villamor said.
The Lady Eagles will next face the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers (2-5) on October 22, Sunday, 8:00 AM, at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
Quarter Scores
Ateneo-UE: 17-10, 26-28, 40-46, 48-56
Box Scores
Ateneo (48): Villamor – 11, Deacon – 10, Yam – 8, Go – 7, Guytingco – 4, Buendia – 4, Newsome – 1, Uy De Ong – 1, Cancio – 1, Joson – 1
UE (56): Sto. Domingo – 18, Tacula – 16, Cortizano – 10, Ramos – 6, Chan – 2, Gayacao – 2, Antonio – 2, Francisco – 0, Requiron – 0
Storify Link
