LOOSE PASSES resulting in 26 turnovers put the Ateneo Lady Eagles in a tough spot as they fell to their collegiate rivals, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers, 57-39, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, November 13, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Off the bench, Alyssa Villamor lifted Ateneo’s offense as she knocked down three triples en route to a stat line of 11 points on 4/6 shooting, three rebounds, and a steal. Melissa Newsome also took advantage of the opportunities presented to her and ended with a perfect 4/4 shooting clip from the field to tally eight points, six rebounds (four offensive rebounds), and two assists. Cara Buendia had a solid outing herself with eight markers and six rebounds, while Joanne Nimes added six points and four boards.

Meanwhile, three of the Lady Archers’ starting unit finished with double-digits. Ana Castillo top-scored with 13 points, hitting a pair of three-point baskets, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Right behind her were Bettina Binaohan and Camille Claro who racked up 11 and 10 points, respectively, with the former hauling in six rebounds while the latter dished out four assists.

A turnover-filled start to the game by the Blue and White quickly prompted an Ateneo timeout as the Lady Archers pulled ahead with a 7-0 run. Katrina Guytingco got the Lady Eagles’ first field goal of the contest as she latched on a loose pass from the Green and White and took it coast-to-coast. Despite baskets from Buendia and Nimes, the rhythm that the Taft-based side began with did not subside as DLSU finished the first quarter ahead, 7-16.

The second frame told a different story as both teams were scrappy, with the first basket of the quarter arriving at the 5:45 mark through Castillo. Kathleen Nuñez and Villamor traded triples in the succeeding possessions, despite points hardly coming by in the period. Both teams’ offensive rhythms took a toll in the second frame, resulting in a low scoring quarter that ended the first half, 16-27.

The Lady Eagles came out of the dugout playing like a different team, increasing their defensive intensity and putting a lot of pressure on the Lady Archers. Villamor and Nimes recorded back-to-back baskets from deep as the momentum completely swung in favor of the Blue and White, 30-38.

Villamor stepped up big time for Ateneo once more as she brought the team to within a single basket through a long-range bomb and a fastbreak layup, 35-38. Nuñez managed to get one back for the Green and White as she converted a buzzer beating layup in the last possession of the third quarter, 35-40.

The fire died out in the payoff period as the Lady Archers took control and outscored outscored Ateneo, 4-17, in the final frame. Consecutive crucial baskets fell for the Lady Archers as the Lady Eagles’ full court pressure did not go as planned. The Katipunan-based side’s offensive woes resurfaced in the deciding period, and they ultimately fell to their Taft-based counterparts, 39-54.

Currently sitting at 4-9 in the tourney, the Ateneo Lady Eagles will be looking to end the season on a high note in their final game of the elimination round against the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, 11:00 AM, on Friday, November 16, at the Fil0il Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Quarter Scores:

Ateneo-DLSU: 7-16, 16-27, 35-40, 39-57

Box Score:

Ateneo (39): Villamor 11, Newsome 8, Buendia 8, Nimes 6, Guytingco 2, Cancio 2, Go 2, Joson 0, Payac 0, Gino-Gino 0, Chu 0, De Dios 0, Miranda 0, Moslares 0

DLSU (57): A. Castillo 13, Binaohan 11, Claro 10, Nunez 7, Paraiso 5, Torres 3, Quingco 0, Del Ocampo 3, Arciga 2, Revillosa 0, Jimenez 0, R. Castillo 0, Malarde 0, Jajurie 0