THE ATENEO Lady Eagles unleashed a barrage of triples to escape the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 68-66, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Women’s Basketball Tournament on September 12, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Alyssa Villamor was the main catalyst for Ateneo with 18 points on 5/7 shooting from deep, seven rebounds, and five assists. Jay Nimes was also a key contributor with 18 markers which all came from beyond the arch, while Jollina Go chipped in 15 points.
Meanwhile, Anna Requiron paced UE with a massive 31-point, 13-rebound outing. Veteran playmaker Christine Cortizano added 15 markers while Princess Pedregosa put up a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards.
The Lady Eagles came into the game shooting lights out from downtown with Go hitting two triples and Nimes knocking down another to give the Blue and White a 13-4 lead early in the first quarter. However, UE responded well to Ateneo’s scoring outburst through Requiron, who was their main offensive threat, to end the quarter tied at 19.
[First Quarter]
Go gets the game’s first basket with a three!
Ateneo 3 UE 0#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/MrZwPD9IXr
— Nielbert A. Dy (@Bert_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
[First Quarter]
Two consecutive 3s from Nimes!
Ateneo 19 UE 17#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/lOkRkVERhP
— Nielbert A. Dy (@Bert_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
It was a back-and-forth exchange of buckets for both teams to start the second quarter. UE capitalized on multiple Ateneo turnovers but Joson and Nimes each hit a three to keep Ateneo level. The Lady Warriors sunk a basket in the final seconds of the quarter to take a 32-30 lead into the halftime break.
Looking rejuvenated after the interval, the Lady Eagles found a sweet spot from beyond the arc. Villamor, Nimes, and Go all combined for six treys in the third quarter alone which clawed Ateneo to a 50-44 lead. Despite the three-point eruption, the Blue and White looked unconvincing on defense, ending the quarter 55-52.
[Third Quarter]
Three for UE but Nimes answers with a three of her own!
Ateneo 35 UE 36#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/1y4Ap2ys71
— Nielbert A. Dy (@Bert_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
[Third Quarter]
Two consecutive 3s for Villamor! She gives Ateneo the lead.
Ateneo 44 UE 42#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/iakWqy2h8U
— Nielbert A. Dy (@Bert_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
[Third Quarter]
Lights out for Ateneo! Another 3 yet again from Villamor!
Ateneo 50 UE 44#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/PLZJgivkX8
— Nielbert A. Dy (@Bert_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
Ateneo opened the final quarter hitting three pointers left and right, extending their lead to 61-52. Midway through the quarter, UE went on a 9-3 run of their own, capitalizing on the carelessness of the Lady Eagles and exploiting their loose defense. Ultimately, Villamor stepped up for Ateneo during the dying moments of the game, icing the game with a dagger three to secure the win for the team, 68-65.
[Fourth Quarter]
Villamor makes it two consecutive 3s! Timeout UE. 8:14 remaining in the quarter.
Ateneo 61 UE 52#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/TkwfdoQadn
— Nielbert A. Dy (@Bert_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
[Fourth Quarter]
5-second violation for UE as they cannot find an open teammate! Villamor punishes them with a three!
Ateneo 67 UE 63#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/2F4quVpNZ7
— Nielbert A. Dy (@Bert_TheGUIDON) September 12, 2018
Ateneo head coach John Flores spoke about the team’s transition defense in the first half, saying, “UE thrives well on transition offense. They scored 11 fastbreak points in the first half.” Nonetheless, he was satisfied with how his team adjusted and defended the Lady Warriors’ fastbreaks in the second half.
Villamor touched on the team’s offensive display this game. “It depends on who is open. If someone is open outside, she is free to take the shot but when someone is left unguarded inside the paint, we give the ball to her. Coach wants us to read how the opponents are defending and we make our adjustments accordingly,” she noted.
The Lady Eagles look to continue their winning streak in their next game against defending champions National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, September 22, 10:00AM, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-UE: 19-19, 30-32, 55-52, 68-66
Box Score:
Ateneo (68): Villamor – 18, Nimes – 18, Go – 15, Joson – 8, Buendia – 4, Cancio – 2, Guytingco – 2, Newsome – 1, Gino-gino – 0, Chu – 0, Payac – 0
UE (66): Requiron – 31, Cortizano – 15, P. Pedregosa – 13, A. Pedregosa – 5, Strachan – 2, Francisco – 0, Ganade – 0, Nama – 0, Borromeo – 0, Cuadero – 0, Ordas – 0
