THE ATENEO Lady Eagles started their Season 81 campaign with a win as they defeated the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons, 64-60, in their first match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym on Sunday, September 9.

Jhazmin Joson chalked up 18 points to topscore for the Lady Eagles, along with five rebounds, six assists, and four steals to lead the Blue and White to victory. Following her was Joanne Nimes who put up 16 points and six boards. Go and Cancio both contributed with nine points apiece.

Gene Amar led the way for UP with 12 points, seven dimes, and three steals. Noella Cruz posted 10 points, while Cindy Gonzales and Andrea Ferrer each chipped in nine markers.

It was not an easy victory for the Lady Eagles as they found an even matchup against UP’s offense as early as the first quarter. Up 2-4 after Guytingco grabbed Ateneo’s first basket, the Lady Maroons went on a 6-0 run to put the score at 2-10. Alyssa Villamor brought it close on a personal 5-0 run to bring it to 11-13 but the UP squad kept her at bay to end the first quarter on level terms at 16-16.

The second frame told the same story as Joson’s attempts to take the lead were foiled by UP’s ferociousness in the paint. She then went on a personal 5-0 offensive to tie the game at 26, but Andrea Ferrer answered back by breaking down Ateneo’s full court man-to-man, drawing the foul. She would split her free throws to end the second period at 26-27 in favor of the Lady Maroons.

Ateneo’s defensive woes continued in the third as the Maroons took control of the pace with Amar at the front of the pack. Nimes put in a valiant showing on the defensive end of the court but the Lady Eagles were stifled on the other end, finding chances few and far in between. The Lady Eagles ended the third at a five-point disadvantage, 42-47.

The pivotal fourth quarter was crucial to the Lady Eagles as they finally found their shooting rhythm to take the game to the Lady Maroons. Rookie Angel Gino-gino proved to be an important figure for them down the stretch with her incredible individual defense and passing range. Ateneo’s solid defense paid dividends as they built a four-point lead by the five-minute mark.

UP refused to bow down as they kept themselves within touching distance, 57-56. However, Go’s three gave the Blue and White some breathing room. Villamor’s clutch free throws with 3 seconds left iced the game, 64-60, and sealed the Lady Eagles’ first win of the tournament.

Joson praised the team’s offensive efforts and strong mindset in the final frame of the game. “We did not want to give [in],” she said. “We played together and we cleaned up our mistakes in the previous quarters.”

The Lady Eagles will face the University of the East in their second game in UAAP Season 81 on Wednesday, September 12, 8AM at the Araneta Coliseum.

Quarter Scores:

Ateneo-UP: 16-16, 26-27, 42-47, 64-60

Box Scores:

Ateneo (64): Joson 18, Nimes 16, Cancio 9, Go 9, Villamor 6, Buendia 2, Gino-Gino 2, Newsome 1, Chu 1, Guytingco 0, Moslares 0.

UP (60): Amar 12, Cruz 10, Gonzales 9, Ferrer 9, Larrosa 6, Ordoveza 6, Bascon 6, De Leon 2, Medina 0, Rodas 0, De Guzman 0