TWENTY-SIX turnovers and Nathalia Prado’s 28 points overwhelmed the Ateneo Lady Eagles who dropped their second straight game against the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons in the 7th PCABL Dickies Women’s Invitational on Saturday, June 16, at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy in Quezon City.

Alyssa Villamor and Katrina Guytingco were the only double digit scorers for the Lady Eagles, with 13 and 11 points respectively. Cara Buendia had a monster rebounding effort as she grabbed 17 rebounds on top of nine markers while Jhazmin Joson and Nicole Cancio contributed nine points each.

Prado’s double-double of 28 points on 12/17 (71%) shooting from the field along with 11 boards led the way for the Lady Falcons. Jamie Alcoy added 13 points while Teena Camacho and LR Rosario chipped in nine markers apiece.

The Lady Eagles started the game with a hot hand, as all five starters scored in quick succession to take a 12-4 lead midway through the opening frame. After a string of defensive miscues by the Blue and White, however, the Lady Falcons converted consecutive free throws to come right back and pull within two, 12-10. Cancio then caught fire, hitting a difficult three and an and-one play.

Despite Cancio’s offensive efforts, the Lady Falcons answered to tie the match at 17 all. The period ended with the Katipunan-based squad on top, 18-17, after both teams struggled to make shots late in the opening quarter.

Using a disciplined defensive approach, the Katipunan-based side blitzed to a five-point lead in the middle of the second. In response, the Lady Falcon’s defense forced a string of turnovers as they unleashed an 11-0 run to quickly retake the lead, 26-32. Joson’s triple ended the half with Ateneo trailing, 29-32.

After trading baskets to start the half, Guytingco came alive to score seven straight points, awarding Ateneo the lead, 38-36. In a repeat of the second quarter, however, a slew of turnovers worked in favor of Adamson who went on a 9-0 run to close out the third on top, 42-49.

Villamor attempted to salvage the game for Ateneo at the start of the fourth, creating or scoring 9 points to get back within two points, 54-56. However, Adamson’s dynamic duo in Prado and Alcoy countered with another 9-2 scoring run to establish a double digit lead, ultimately icing the game for the Ermita-based side. Free throws sealed the final score, 59-69.

Villamor lamented the Lady Eagles’ inability to get to the right spots on offense which  resulted in several turnovers. “Bad yung offense namin and naapektuhan nito ‘yung defense namin (Our offense was poor and this affected our defense),” she commented.

Joson added the team’s tendency to play individually rather than as a team to be a major problem. However, the young point guard was quick to credit the team’s resiliency despite the loss. “We didn’t give up,” she said. “We kept on going.”

With the loss, the Lady Eagles now fall to an 0-2 record while Adamson boasts an unblemished 2-0 record.

The Lady Eagles will look to bounce back versus the powerhouse UE Lady Warriors at 11:15AM on Saturday, June 23 in the Philippine Buddhacare Academy Gym in Quezon City.

Quarter Scores:

Ateneo-AdU: 18-17, 29-32, 42-49, 59-69

Box Score:

Ateneo (59): Villamor – 13, Guytingco – 11, Joson – 9, Buendia – 9, Cancio – 9, Nimes – 4, Miranda – 3, Moslares – 1, Go – 0, Payac – 0

AdU (69): Prado – 28, Alcoy – 13, Camacho – 9, Rosario – 9, Razalo – 5, Cabug – 4, Bilbao – 1, Osano – 0, Villanueva – 0, Araja – 0, Cacho – 0, Aciro – 0, Tacitac – 0, Santos – 0