The UP Women’s Basketball Team concluded their Sulit Breakdown Basketball (BBi) run with a 47-61 loss to the NU Lady Bulldogs in the finals, held July 22, 2024 at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center.
Despite tying the game 9-9 early into the first quarter, courtesy of a shot by Achrissa Maw, the UP Fighting Maroons struggled against the Lady Bulldogs’ strong defense, ending with a score of 14-24, in favor of NU.
The Fighting Maroons were a stronger force in the second quarter, with plays by Louna Ozar, Kaye Pesquera, and Rizza Lozada making the difference. Pesquera, in particular, scored seven points in quick succession towards the end of the frame, with Ozar finishing it off to cut the Lady Bulldogs’ lead to the single digits, 26-32.
NU took first blood after the half, scoring a three pointer to extend the lead to 26-35, followed immediately by a shot from Maymay Canuto, bringing the score up to 26-37. UP’s Ozar quickly answered back with four consecutive points, trimming the Lady Bulldogs’ lead down to seven, 30-37. But the Fighting Maroons would go scoreless until a minute left in the third quarter, entering the fourth with a score of 34-43. Ozar and Pesquera continued to spearhead the Maroon’s offensive department, aided by Maw and Shanina Tapawan.
The fourth quarter opened with a three from Tapawan, who went on to add two more points to her retinue, raising the Maroons’ points up to 39-43. Tapawan would prove to be a key player in the frame, as she also made two successful free throws, making the score 41-45 with six minutes left to spare. UP’s efforts would not be enough, however, as they would go the next three minutes without a point. Maw managed a three-pointer at the 3:10 mark to end UP’s silent spell, but NU simply got the better of the Fighting Maroons, clinching the victory with a final score of 47-61.
“NU’s maturity throughout the game really showed,” said UPWBT Head Coach Paul Ramos. “I think we’re still trying to figure that out — how to be strong consistently.”
Ramos believes that the WBT has to “find that inner strength” in crucial moments, further going on to say that they failed to play together when NU went on their scoring runs.
”It’s just going back to the drawing board,” Ramos continued, when asked about how the team would take this loss heading into UAAP S87. “We’re [going to] figure out the matchups and hopefully sustain the momentum by the time the UAAP starts.”
Following this last pre-season game, Ramos urges both his players and the UP community to “keep the faith.”
“That’s what I said to the team after the game. Yeah, we fell short with how we wanted to perform […] but I feel that we’re improving on some of the facets that we used to not have,” he stated. “Hopefully we can showcase that and translate it to [winning] a game.”
Team Captain Kaye Pesquera led the Fighting Maroons’ silver medal run with a total of 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Achrissa Maw and Louna Ozar contributed 10 points each, Shanina Tapawan with 7 points, and Rizza Lozada and Christie Bariquit both scored 2 points.
On the other hand, Shelo Pagdolagan was the Lady Bulldogs’ top scorer, contributing 17 points. Christine Cayabyab was also in the double digits, scoring 16 points and named as the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The UP Women’s Basketball Team will return in the UAAP Season 87, which will be hosted by the University of the Philippines and slated to begin on September 7, 2024.
THE SCORES:
UP 47 – Pesquera 16, Tapawan 7, Maw 10, Ozar 10, Lozada 2, Bariquit 2, Nolasco 0, Jimenez 0, Vingno 0, Solitario 0, Quinquino 0, Mendiola 0
NU 61 – Pagdolagan 17, Cayabyab 16, Pingol 10, Canuto 7, Surada 6, Talas 3, Clarin 2, Baratolo 0, Alterado 0, Solis 0, Priing 0, Ico 0,Villanueva 0, Betanio 0
Photo Credit: John James Corpuz