UAAP Season 71 Women’s Basketball
UP Lady Maroons vs UST Tigresses
UST defeats UP 69-64
September 10, 2008, 3pm
Arena, San Juan
Next Game: September 13, 9am, Arena
Final Four opener
Tigresses push Lady Maroons on the edge
By Merck Maguddayao
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses burned the hoops of the San Juan Arena to wallop the University of the Philippines (UP) for the first time this season, 69-64, in the opening game of their virtual best-of-three match in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines women’s basketball Final Four today.
Ace Tigress and tournament top scorer Marichu Bacaro exploded for 31 points to lead the Tigresses in the game, which was set as a playoff for the second spot. On the other hand, Lady Maroon star player Sihaya Sadorra chalked in 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead UP.
The game started with both teams scorching hot from the three point line in rapid succession. However, the Lady Maroons got the early edge, 17-20, with center Fatima Tolentino scoring six quick points off set plays.
The second quarter opened with the Tigresses converting on perimeter shots courtesy of Bacaro and forward Rem Buenacosa. The Lady Maroons, meanwhile, fought neck and neck, with Kryzza Casino and Diwa Paz converting four acrobatic lay-ups. The Bacaro-Buenacosa duo then sparked a 10-0 run capped by a nearly-botched trey from Tigress shooter Nikki Leonardo. The Tigresses ended the half leading, 38-31.
Coming off the halftime break, Sadorra suddenly charged for six points off dribble drives to keep UP in contention. Buenacosa and center Joan Gregorio retaliated by scoring 4 points each off perimeter shots to lift UST to a double-digit lead, 47-37, halfway through the third quarter. Both teams then traded baskets to end the quarter with the Tigresses leading, 54-46.
In the payoff period, the game shifted to a Sadorra versus Bacaro showdown as the two veterans showcased an array of daredevil drives on the open court. However, Tigress Gail Fermin’s three-point shot extended UST’s lead to nine, 64-55, with 4 minutes left.
The Lady Maroons then replied with a 7-0 run as Sadorra played decoy, issuing assists to Diwa Paz and Jedil Robelo, who converted on open outside shots. Bacaro, however, spoiled UP’s run by converting on a tightly guarded dribble drive to make UST pull away for good.
With their third straight loss, the Lady Maroons are relegated to a do-or-die match against the Tigresses on Saturday, 9 am, at the San Juan Arena, to be followed by the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws versus Adamson Lady Falcons semifinal match, where the former holding a twice-to-beat advantage.
UST (69) - Bacaro 31, Buenacosa 13, Leonardo 10, Gregorio 8, Fermin 3, Bombeo 2, De Leon 2, Rivera 0
UP (64) – Sadorra 15, Tolentino 11, Paz 10, Robelo 8, Casino 7, D. Bautista 6, Tomelden 4, Del Rosario 2, Stevens 1, M. Bautista 0, Cainglet 0
Quarter scores: 17-20, 38-31, 54-46, 69-64