THE ATENEO Blue Eagles were in high spirits after bringing home their first win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Women’s Basketball Tournament against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 67-64, earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Team Captain Jhazmin Joson was able to set the momentum for Ateneo early into the match, alongside teammates Sandra Villacruz and Kaycee Dela Rosa who exhibited their impressive offensive tactics. By the end of the first quarter, the Blue Eagles were up 24-17, owing 10 points to Joson alone.
[FIRST QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 2, 2022
After a strong first quarter led by their captain Jhazmin Joson (10 points), the Blue Eagles stretch their lead to seven points.
Ateneo 24 FEU 17#UAAPBasketball
In the second frame of the match, the FEU Lady Tamaraws finally found their footing, and through the contributions of Camille Taguiam’s mid-range jumpers and Princess Jumuad’s strong drives to the basket, 24-21.
Despite the efforts of the Lady Tamaraws, the AWBT continued to dance around the FEU defense and maintain their lead. Veteran guard LJ Miranda’s strong attacks in the wings racked up points for Ateneo, which was further added on by Angel Gino-Gino’s three-pointers. By the end of the first half, the AWBT still had a comfortable 12-point advantage, 43-31.
[SECOND QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 2, 2022
Miranda is fouled and will go to the freethrow line. She then splits her freebies from the charity stripe.
Ateneo 24 FEU 21#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/qqEsks8HeD
In the second half of the match, the ladies from FEU showcased their ability to cut large leads. The Lady Tamaraws took advantage of Ateneo’s costly turnovers by converting them into consecutive fastbreak points. Aggressive runs to the rim from FEU’s Jumuad, Jamerin Delos Santos, and Danica Pacia resulted in back-to-back fouls incurred by Ateneo’s bigs. The quarter came to an end with the AWBT hanging on to a mere two-point lead, 53-51.
The final quarter proved to be another challenge for the Blue Eagles to surmount, with Lady Tamaraw Devina Go giving her team their first lead in the match after her smooth lay-up, 59-58. In spite of FEU’s ability to shift the momentum, Ateneo retaliated with smarter plays and better defense. As both teams were in a deadlock at the final minute of the match, 64-64, Miranda stepped up to score a clutch three which eventually gave her team the victory.
[FOURTH QUARTER]
— Juris Salvanera (@Juris_TheGUIDON) October 2, 2022
LJ Miranda with the go ahead three pointer with 18.2 seconds left! FEU call a timeout.
Ateneo 67 FEU 64#UAAPBasketball pic.twitter.com/KCG7LDXECM
The AWBT’s next game is set to take place at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in the City of Manila at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 5, against the reigning champions National University Lady Bulldogs.
Box Scores:
Ateneo (67) – Miranda 17, Joson 15, Dela Rosa 14, Villacruz 10, Makanjuola 5, Gino-Gino 3, Jajurie 2, Eufemiano 1, Nieves 1
FEU (64) – Jumuad 11, Pacia 11, Taguiam, 10, Go 9, Delos Santos 9, Obien 7, Lopez 5, Aquino 2
Quarter Scores:
Ateneo-FEU: 24-17, 43-31, 53-51, 67-64.
