By MARK REY MONTEJO
Far Eastern University leaned on its first-half surge and weathered off University of the East’s final assault to come out with a 62-56 win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, Sept. 18.
Without their star Josee Kaputu, the Lady Tamaraws (1-2) created enough separation to shrug off the Lady Warriors (0-3) who crawled their way back from a big deficit but ran out of gas in the end.
Max Dela Torre topped FEU’s scoring with 16 points on top seven rebounds, finishing as the lone double-digit scorer for her side. Rachel Lacayanga, for UE, tallied 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a losing cause.
Last season’s Mythical team member Kaputu was absent after sustaining a full ACL tear which she suffered in their showdown against NU last weekend.
“To be honest Josee joined us the last three weeks before the UAAP so sabi ko sa mga players, sumali tayo ng three tournaments during the summer without Josee (Kaputu) so wala na masyadong difference at adjustment but of course,” said FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy, who earned her first coaching win.
Meanwhile, NU tied with reigning champion UST at top spot and remained perfect after beating UP, 76-64.
The Lady Bulldogs went off a 21-2 blitz in the third quarter and outlasted the Lady Maroons to tally their third victory while the latter team wound up 1-2 in the standings.
Earlier in the boys’ division, the NUNS Bullpups (1-2) displayed pure dominance and scored their first win, 94-76, over the UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons (0-3) while UE Junior Warriors (3-0) zoomed to the top spot after handing FEU-D Baby Tamaraws (2-1) their first loss, 82-74.
The Scores:
FEU 62 – Dela Torre 16, Manguiat 9, Salvani 8, Ong 7, Lopez 7, Pasilang 5, Nagma 2, Paras 2, Villanueva 2, Gavaran 2, Pagtielan 2, Libor 0, Mendaros 0.
UE 56 – Lacayanga 19, Ronquillo 11, Cruz 8, Vacalares 7, Kone 6, Yanes 3, Ganade 2, Buscar 0, Ruiz 0, Delig 0, Lumibao 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 43-21, 54-32, 62-56.
