THE ATENEO Lady Eagles struggled with their offensive execution and transition defense as they lost against the Women’s National Under-18 Team, 55-77 in the 7th PCABL Dickies Women’s Invitational Tournament on Saturday, July 14, at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy Gym in Quezon City.
Jollina Go led the Blue and White with 16 points and three steals while Alyssa Villamor and Katrina Guytingco chipped in 11 and 6 markers, respectively.
Kristine Cayabyab was the key player for the U18 squad, as she recorded a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds on a 9/13 shooting clip. Kent Pastrana added 14 markers and nine boards while Karl Pingol had her own double-double of 12 points and 12 boards.
The U18 team started the game strong defensively, pressuring ball handlers and forcing the Lady Eagles to take shots from distance. Fastbreaks were also the main focus of attack, as the Women’s National Under-18 group scored eight of their 20 first-quarter points in transition.
In contrast, the Lady Eagles struggled in the opening frame as they only made four shots. Go was the only bright spot early on, scoring a fastbreak layup and a three pointer to account for five of the team’s nine points in the first period which ended with the U18 team ahead, 20-9.
[First Quarter] Jollina Go ends the scoring drought for the Lady Eagles as she converts the fastbreak layup!
Ateneo 6 U18 11#PCABL2018— Karl T. Uy (@Karl_TheGUIDON) July 14, 2018
[First Quarter] Great ball movement leaves Go open for the right corner three! She misses the free throw.
Ateneo 9 U18 16#PCABL2018— Karl T. Uy (@Karl_TheGUIDON) July 14, 2018
After a slow start from the U18 team in second quarter, the Lady Eagles cut the lead down to three after an 8-0 scoring run led by Villamor and Nicole Cancio. In response, a renewed defensive intensity led by Caila Galaminton forced a couple of defensive stops which lead to multiple fastbreak baskets for the U18 side. Despite the bright start, Ateneo was outscored, 18-6, the rest of the way as they faced a double-digit deficit at the halftime break, 23-38.
[Second Quarter]
Villamor for three in the corner! Lady Eagles on a 6-0 run!
Ateneo 15 U18 20#PCABL2018 pic.twitter.com/d68sRXXFh7
— Karl T. Uy (@Karl_TheGUIDON) July 14, 2018
[Second Quarter]
Nicole Cancio drives hard for the right hand finish!
Ateneo 17 U18 20#PCABL2018 pic.twitter.com/QKNJgThXmx
— Karl T. Uy (@Karl_TheGUIDON) July 14, 2018
To start the third, however, Ateneo came firing out of the gates with back-to-back triples to cut the deficit back to single digits. However, the Lady Eagles’ shooting woes returned to plague them as they were unable to convert from beyond the arc in succeeding plays.
As a result, the U18 team regained control with their aggressive play, scoring 17 points via inside baskets and free throws until Go trimmed the lead to sixteen with a transition bucket and charity points to end the third quarter, 39-55.
[Third Quarter]
Go is all alone for the easy layup after the steal!
Ateneo 36 U18 51#PCABL2018 pic.twitter.com/Wwzb8GoeEV
— Karl T. Uy (@Karl_TheGUIDON) July 14, 2018
The Lady Eagles experienced a dry spell at the start of the final frame, going scoreless for the first 3:35 minutes of the period. This led to a lengthy timeout by Coach John Flores that seemed to reenergize the team as Guytingco came off the timeout with consecutive baskets, hitting a tough right-handed finish followed by a crafty spin move floater. After a scary fall against the basketball stanchion midway through the quarter, however, the versatile forward had to leave the game as a precaution.
Teammates Jhazmin Joson, Pam Payac, and Cara Buendia picked up the scoring load to close the match. After Buendia split her free throws, Villamor was able to grab a consolation buzzer beater which sealed the final score, 55-77.
Rookie LJ Miranda shed light on Coach Flores’ words of wisdom in the fourth quarter timeout which nearly cost the Blue and White a technical foul for delay of game.
“Gusto niya kami magising at lumaban parin hanggang di pa zero yung oras,” Miranda explained.
(Coach Flores wanted to wake us up and encourage us to fight while the match was still ongoing.)
During the timeout, Coach Flores acknowledged that the team cannot do anything about calls not going their way. However, he bemoaned the team’s insistence to force shots from distance rather than attacking the basket.
“Ang naging problema lang namin is the more na hindi namin ma-convert yung shots namin, the more na nara-rattle at nafru-frustrate kami,” she summed up.
(Our problem was the more we failed to convert our shots, the more frustrated and rattled we got.)
Moving forward, the team looks to move past the struggles they have faced and utilize the grit they exemplified in their succeeding matches.
“Bawal mastuck sa error kasi lalo ka lang magcocommit ng turnovers,” Miranda said. “Yung hustle and effort talaga ang magpapanalo samin.”
(We shouldn’t get caught up with our mistakes because it will lead to more turnovers. Our hustle and effort is what will allow us to win.)
With a 2-4 record in the tourney, the Lady Eagles will attempt to redeem themselves against the Philippine Air Force next Saturday, July 21, 11:15 am, at the same venue.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-U18: 9-20, 23-38, 39-55, 55-77
Box Score:
Ateneo (55): Go – 16, Villamor – 11, Guytingco – 6, Buendia – 5, Nimes – 4, Payac – 4, Joson – 3, Cancio – 3, Miranda – 3, Moslares -0
U18 (77): Cayabyab – 22, Pastrana – 14, Pingol – 12, Galamiton – 8, Estacio – 5, Solis – 4, Mendoza – 4, Surada – 4, Goto – 3, Betanio – 1, Bron -0, Talas -0
