By MARK REY MONTEJO
EJ Lopez caught fire from the distance as Far Eastern University stunned Adamson, 67-64, to end their four-game losing skid in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Lopez buried four treys along with a crucial basket to give the Lady Tamaraws a 65-64 cushion at the 1:02 mark of the fourth quarter which were enough to take the fight out of the Lady Falcons.
With its triumph, FEU improved to 2-6 good for sixth place while Adamson dropped to a 5-3 card at third – behind NU (7-0) and reigning champion UST (6-1).
“Grabe lang po ‘yong kumpiyansa na binibigay sa amin ni coach Raiza na kapag open, itira mo nang buong puso, nang walang duda,” said Lopez, who came off the bench and finished with 17 points while having a 5-of-7 shooting from the rainbow category – including a perfect 4-of-4 in the final canto.
Yvette Villanueva also starred for FEU with 13 points and nine rebounds while Shane Salvani, MJ Manguiat and Rea Ong added eight markers each.
“I’m not surprised na ganito ang nilaro namin,” FEU mentor Raiza Palmera-Dy added. “I’ve seen them play every day, six times a week, and naniniwala ako na kaya nila. Like I’ve mentioned in the first round, kailangan lang namin mag sabay sabay na merong magandang nilalaro.”
Elaine Atang paced FEU with 16 points on top of six rebounds and three steals while Cheska Apag backed her up with an all-around effort of 14 markers, seven rebounds and four steals.
In the battle of cellar-dweller squads, La Salle (2-6) demolished University of the East (1-7), 74-46.
Patricia Mendoza topscored for the Lady Archers with 15 while Bernice Paraiso had a double-double performance of 13 markers and 10 rebounds. Arabell Bacierto and Luisa San Juan added 12 apiece.
The scores:
First Game
FEU 67 – Lopez 17, Villanueva 13, Salvani 8, Manguiat 8, Ong 8, Dela Torre 5, Nagma 4, Paras 2, Pasilang 2.
ADAMSON 64 – Etang 16, Apag 14, Mazo 9, Padilla 7, Adeshina 7, Meniano 5, E. Alaba 2, Ornopia 2, Agojo 2, A. Alaba 0, Bajo 0, Limbago 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 36-33, 47-49, 67-64
Second Game
DLSU 74 – Mendoza 15, Paraiso 13, San Juan 12, Barcierto 12, Sunga 6, Dalisay 4, Sario 4, Dela Paz 4, Rodriguez 3, Delos Reyes 1, Villava-Cua 0, Santos 0, Camba 0, Catalan 0, Salado 0.
UE 46 – Vacalares 12, Lacayanga 11, Kone 9, Ronquillo 7, Ganade 5, Yanez 2, Buscar 0, Cruz 0, Ruiz 0.
Quarters: 24-12, 50-27, 57-37, 74-46.
