THE ATENEO Lady Eagles were defeated by their archrivals, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers in the third game of the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, October 13, at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
The Lady Eagles lost their third game in a row, falling to a 3-7 record. On the other hand, DLSU climbed to a 4-5 record, good for solo-fifth place in the standings.
Alyssa Villamor led Ateneo with 12 points to go along with seven boards. Joanne Nimes scored 11 while Hazelle Yam followed closely with 10 points and eight rebounds. Charmaine Torres had a stellar performance for La Salle, finishing with 17 points and eight rebounds while also going 9/10 from the charity stripe.
The game was tight from the get-go, with neither team leading by more than two possessions throughout the first half. Both teams ended the first two quarters with incredible shots from distance: Alyssa Villamor ended the first quarter by drilling a three from beyond half court while Bennette Revillosa banked in a heave of her own just before halftime.
The third frame was when La Salle started to build their lead, as they went on a 14-5 run capped off by a Revillosa floater. Ateneo was able to cut the lead to just four late in the final frame after two jumpers from Pam Payac, but Torres responded with five straight points to put the game out of reach.
The Lady Eagles scored just 53 points compared to the 92 points in the previous matchup against the Lady Archers. Ateneo also shot just 28.36% from the field, including a 1/15 clip from downtown in the second half.
After the game, Lady Eagles Head Coach Katrina Quimpo credited La Salle’s pressing defense as one of the biggest factors that led to Ateneo’s offensive struggles.
“La Salle played [a] much better defense [today.] A lot of it came from their press because usually when you press, it forces the other team to not be able to run their sets,” she said.
Up next for the Lady Eagles is a date with the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, October 16, 8:00 AM, at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion, Manila City.
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-DLSU: 20-19, 29-32, 42-49, 53-62
Box Score:
Ateneo (53): Villamor – 12, Nimes – 11, Yam – 10, Guytingco – 8, Payac – 4, Joson – 3, Newsome – 3, Chu – 2, Moslares – 0, Cancio – 0, De Dios – 0, Aquisap – 0, Villacruz – 0
DLSU (62): Torres – 17, Pastrana – 12, Revillosa – 9, Sario – 9, Okoli – 5, Dalisay – 4, Binaohan – 2, Paraiso – 2, Quingco – 2, Espinas – 0, Jajurie – 0, Jimenez – 0, Malarde – 0
