Lady Tams down pesky Lady Bulldogs

By Donjie Carreon Posted Jul 8th 2013

Defending champions Far Eastern University hunkered down on defense in the final period to outlast a pesky National University, 57-50, to claim its second win in the UAAP Season 76 women's tournament on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

In the fourth quarter, the Lady Bulldogs had a harder time getting to the basket as the Lady Tamaraws packed the paint and only gave single coverage to penetration attempts.  After a 17-point third quarter, NU only managed nine in the last period as they committed a string of their 23 turnovers then with the new defensive look from FEU, which scattered 18 points.

The FEU took control with three straight baskets in the final minutes, but NU would not back down employing a full court trap to up to the last seconds despite the comfortable lead by the Lady Tamaraws

FEU's Vangie Soriano led all scorers with 20 points with six rebounds while Camille Sambile was all over the court with 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while also disrupting NU on the defensive end with six steals and two blocks. April Siat, meanwhile, had 11 points and eight boards. Risa Paig and Kristine Abriam, scored 11 each for the Bulldogs.

In other games, runner-up De La Salle University recovered from the University of Sto. Tomas's third quarter explosion to escape with 58-56 win.

The Lady Archers saw their nine-point half time lead evaporate in the third period as the Tigresses quicked the pace and deployed a full court press to get 20 points and tie the game at 44 all going into the fourth. La Salle, however, engaged UST in that game and deployed similar tactics, which proved effective as the Tigresses saw their turnover count pick-up.

UST had no answer for Ara Abaca, who was a force in the paint as she scored 20 points and hauled down 17 boards, while Camille Claro and Inna Corcuera added nine and eight points, respectively. Marian Mejia led UST with 17 points while Lore Rivera, Jeannine Ong and Maica Cortes each had 10.

Adamson University, meanwhile, whipped the University of the Philippines, 72-53, as the Lady Maroons repeated fumbles gave the Lady Falcons a huge 30-10 edge in turn over points.

Adamson kept the pressure on UP throughout the game to tally 11 steals, and with Katrinne Topacio and Sheerose Luna the most frequent mugging victims as they couched up the ball eight and 10 times each. Overall, UP had a whopping 34 turnovers. 

Jinky Balasta led a balanced attack from Adamson with 20 points while Analie Tongco and Joy Cochio had 12 and 11. Janelle de Castro also added 10 points with 13 rebounds. Antonia Wong and Bea Baez had 12 apiece while Topacio and Patricia Tatel each scored 10 for the Lady Maroons.