University of the Philippines ended their Round 1 campaign in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Tournament with a triumph against De La Salle University, 66-62, on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After suffering back-to-back losses against the Adamson Soaring Falcons and the UST Growling Tigresses, the Fighting Maroons returned to winning ways with a come-from-behind victory against the DLSU Green Archers.
Despite ending the third quarter with only 11 points to DLSU’s 23, the UP Fighting Maroons bounced back in the fourth with a 16-2 run that culminated in them clinching the win.
UP was down by 10, 50-60, at the 6:58 mark of the fourth frame before Kaye Pesquera’s jumper, followed by assists that led to three consecutive triples by Achrissa Maw, Christie Bariquit, and Rizza Lozada, saw the Fighting Maroons take the lead, 61-60, with 3:38 to play.
A split free throw conversion by Bariquit and a jumper on the other end by Bernice Paraiso brought the score to a deadlock at 62, but Luisa San Juan fouled Pesquera, who sank both free throws to lift the Maroons up by two, 64-62, with 32.4 seconds remaining.
Bariquit then iced the game by draining two-of-two freebies to secure the win for the Diliman-based squad, 66-62.
Achrissa Maw was once more UP’s top scorer, tallying 18 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, and was hailed as Player of the Game. Louna Ozar followed with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Kaye Pesquera and Christie Bariquit both scored 11 points apiece, Shanina Tapawan added eight, and Rizza Lozada chipped in with five.
On the other hand, Luisa San Juan tallied 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Bernice Paraiso was the other Archer in the double digits, contributing 13 points and 6 rebounds. Lee Sario added seven points, Bea Dalisay and Mica Camba both chipped in with five, Patricia Mendoza added four, Kyla Sunga with three, and Arabell Bacierto with two.
With this victory, the UP Fighting Maroons now stand in fifth with a 3-4 record. Heading into the second round, the team will be looking to improve their game and standing for a chance at another Final Four berth. They will begin their second round campaign against the defending champions University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, October 13, 12:00 P.M., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Meanwhile, the DLSU Lady Archers ended Round 1 with a record of 1-6, tied with FEU and UE for a joint last place. Their first game of the second round will be against the UE Lady Warriors on Saturday, October 12, 2024, 12:00 P.M., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
THE SCORES
UP (66) – Maw 18, Ozar 13, Pesquera 11, Bariquit 11, Tapawan 8, Lozada 5, Mendoza 0, Jimenez 0, Barba 0, Sauz 0, Solitario 0, Nolasco 0, Quinquinio 0, Vingno 0.
DLSU (62) – San Juan 23, Paraiso 13, Sario 7, Dalisay 5, Camba 5, Mendoza 4, Sunga 3, Bacierto 2, Santos 0, Rodriguez 0, Dela Paz 0.
Quarter Scores: 17-15, 35-33, 46-56, 66-62
This UP Fighting Maroons Club post is in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.
