Lady Tams open 3-peat bid vs. Adamson

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Jul 3rd 2013

Defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) looks to kick-off its three-peat campaign on a strong note as the Lady Tamaraws plunge into action today in the opening week of the 76th UAAP women’s basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle gym.

The back-to-back titlist Lady Tamaraws, who ruled the tournament with a 16-0 card – including an emphatic Finals sweep – last season, vie for their first win against perennial title-contender Adamson University at 1:30 p.m.

Earlier in the day, last season’s runner-up De La Salle University debuts against Ateneo de Manila University at 12 noon. In the second game, National University battles University of the Philippines at 10:30 p.m. shortly after the University of Santo Tomas-University of the East tussle in the 9 a.m. opener.

FEU may have lost key players to graduation but the Lady Tamaraws remain a dangerous bunch with their vast experience, anchored now on Camille Sambile and Vangie Soriano, who will likely take the leadership cudgels from Season 75 MVP Allana Lim.

Lim, who led the Lady Tamaraws in scoring last season with 19.7 points a game, already used yp her eligibility alongside Finals MVP Marilourd Borja, and veterans Agatha Astrero and Claudine Supnet.

But sans Lim and company, FEU – last year’s top defensive team which gave up an average of 52.5 points to its opponents – is expected to have a rough outing against the Lady Falcons despite the graduation of top gunner Snow Penaranda.

Penaranda, a Mythical Five member last season, paced Adamson with double-double averages of 15 points and 11.7 rebounds a contest.

With the departure of old reliable Hannah Viterbo, the Lady Archers will now pin their hopes on Season 75 Mythical Five member Ara Abaca, Trisha Piatos, and Inna Corcuera among others.

On the other hand, the Tigresses are likely to bank on Mythical Team member Maica Cortes when they collide with the Lady Warriors.