FEU reigns supreme in women’s basketball
By Merck Maguddayao
Offense wins games. Defense wins championships.
The Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws played impeccable defense to sweep the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons, 2-0, with a 52-46 victory in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines women’s basketball tournament finals today at the San Juan Arena.
The Lady Tamaraws, winning their fourth consecutive game versus the Lady Maroons this season, clinched the women’s championship after 11 years. On the other hand, the Lady Maroons bagged their second straight runner-up trophy.
“Sabi ko sa mga players, laruin na natin ang last 20 minutes ng season instead na magpraktis uli tayo ng isa pang linggo,” said Lady Tamaraws head coach Michael Oliver, who won his first championship as head coach after a dismal fifth place finish last season.
The game started dull, though, for the Lady Tamaraws, as the Lady Maroons displayed its superior athleticism offensively and defensively. Inspired by a booming block from guard Danielle Bautista on FEU’s first shot, the Lady Maroons jumped to an early 10-16 lead in the first quarter.
The Lady Tamaraws then responded in the second canto, with shooters Raizza Palmera and Bernadette Mercado converting three perimeter shots to tie the score at 16. However, Lady Maroon rookie Kryzza Casino sparked a UP run with a daredevil layup to put UP in front, 20-26.
In the second half, the Lady Tamaraws played with a smaller lineup as Finals Most Valuable Player Mercado scored six straight points to spark a quick 8-0 run. Palmera and guard Josie Positos then furthered FEU’s torrid shooting, scoring four each in another 8-0 run in the latter part of the third period. The Lady Tamaraws allowed the Lady Maroons to score three points in the quarter as FEU surged to a 40-29 lead.
In the payoff period, the Lady Maroons opened a 9-0 run anchored on Bautista and forward Sihaya Sadorra to contract FEU’s lead, 42-38. However, the Lady Tamaraws continued playing an airtight zone defense while converting long shots, capped by a cold-blooded three from forward Chovi Borja in the last two minutes en route to the championship.
Palmera and Mercado led the Lady Tamaraws with 15 and 11 points respectively while Mythical Five members Sadorra and Fatima Tolentino scored 13 apiece and hauled a combined 31 rebounds to lead the Lady Maroons
“We played small ball nung second half because we want a quick reacting defense to tone down UP’s athletic drives,” explained Oliver. “Sa lahat ng nakalaban namin this season, sa UP talaga kami nahirapan for we can’t match their athleticism. Kaya we have to outsmart them by fielding an odd lineup na gugulat sa kanila sa second half.”
FEU (52) – Palmera 15, Mercado 11, C. Borja 9, Positos 6, Reyes 4, Rivera 4, Sernal 2, Miag-ao 1, Astrero 0, M. Borja 0, Leviste 0
UP (46) – Tolentino 13, Sadorra 13, D. Bautista 8, Casino 4, Paz 3, Tomelden 3, Cainglet 2, Stevens 0, Del Rosario 0, M. Bautista 0, Robelo 0
Quarter scores: 10-16, 20-26, 40-29, 52-46