UAAP Season 71 Women’s Basketball
UP Lady Maroons vs UST Tigresses
UP defeats UST 52-39
September 13, 2008, 9am
Arena, San Juan
Lady Maroons cage Tigresses, force rubber match anew
By Merck Maguddayao
The University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons played choking defense in the second half to rout archrival University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses, 52-39, in the second game of their Final Four duel in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines women’s basketball tournament at the San Juan gym today.
Employing a boxing one and a 3-2 full court trapping defense in the second half, the Lady Maroons allowed the Tigresses to score a mere 11 second half points, the lowest in the tournament so far. Furthermore, UP’s defense caused Most Valuable Player contender and ace Tigress Marichu Bacaro to score only 11 points coming off a 31 point output in the previous game, while forcing the high-flying guard to commit 12 turnovers.
The game started with both teams exchanging baskets as Lady Maroon guard Danielle Bautista scored eight first quarter points. The quarter ended with UP barely ahead, 15-14.
The subsequent quarter saw the Lady Maroons committing numerous turnovers off UST’s zone defense. This resulted to eight fastbreak points for the Tigresses while the Lady Maroons scored only nine points, most of which came from foul shots. The first half ended with UST regaining the lead, 28-24.
After the halftime recess, both teams played airtight defense, stopping each other’s fastbreak attempts while scoring simply came from set plays. The Tigresses maintained the lead at the end of the third canto, 34-32.
In the payoff period and on the verge of being eliminated, the Lady Maroons wowed the Tigresses by playing full court trap as guard defender Andrea Stevens scored four instant points off steals to inspire UP’s run. The Lady Maroons also played sheer hustle both offensively and defensively, allowing them to get more second chance opportunities.
At the five minute mark, ace Maroon Sihaya Sadorra dished three pivotal assists to open teammates as UP rolled over to a 14-point lead. The Lady Maroon captain likewise played excellent defense, snatching four possessions from the Tigresses. Having scored only two points in an eight minute stretch in the quarter, the Tigresses never fought back as the Lady Maroons forced a do-or-die in their last Final Four match next Wednesday.
Sadorra led the Lady Maroons with 9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 steals, and a block while forward Rem Buenacosa supplemented Bacaro’s off-game with 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Tigresses.
UP (52) – Tolentino 14, D. Bautista 12, Sadorra 9, Stevens 6, Cainglet 4, Tomelden 4, Paz 3, M. Bautista 0, Del Rosario 0, Robelo 0, Casino 0
UST (39) - Bacaro 11, Buenacosa 10, Fermin 8, Gregorio 6, Bombeo 2, Leonardo 2, De Leon 0, Obrador 0
when is the next game and what time?
Yea, I also want to know what time’s the next game.