Lady Archers draw first blood to start UAAP S85 campaign
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers overwhelmed the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons to start their UAAP Season 85 Campaign in dominating fashion, 73–51, earlier today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
It was a slow start for the Green and White as UP’s Rizza Lozada gave the first score of the game with a layup. Rookie Fina Niantcho Tchuido and Team Captain Joehanna Arciga helped give La Salle the lead, 10–5, early on. Marian Domingo tried to rally UP back, but a Bea Dalisay three and Krizelle San Juan jumper gave the Archers a comfortable 11-point separation to end the first, 19–8.
In the second canto, La Salle continued to control the pace of the game, going on an 8–0 run that further increased the margin, 27–8. Foul trouble for the Archers gave the Fighting Maroons multiple chances to get on the board, as Acrissa Maw likewise made free throws, 29–16. Torres, however, quickly cut these efforts to extend La Salle’s lead to 19, 35–16. UP’s Stifanny Larrosa’s two free throws ended the half with La Salle sporting a comfortable 35–19 advantage.
The Taft-based squad continued their offensive barrage as Niantcho Tchuido and Lee Sario made jumpers to extend the lead to 18. Five striaght points from the Fighting Maroons gave a glimpse of hope, but the Lady Archers were relentless in dominating offensively. Bettina Binaohan’s midrange jumper gave La Salle further cushion with a 25 lead, 54–29. Similar to the second quarter, DLSU was once again in foul trouble, but things deemed under control as they remained ahead by 19, 57–38 at the end of third.
Midway through the fourth, San Juan completes the four-point play to give the Lady Archers a30-point cushion and burry the Fighting Maroons. Christie Bariquit and Jimenez attempted to minimize the gap, but it was already too large to close at 22, 73–51.
The DLSU Lady Archers (1–0) will aim to extend their winning streak to two against the UST Golden Tigresses who have the same record (1–0) on Wednesday, October 5, 9 AM at the UST QPavillion.
Boxscores:
DLSU 73 - Niantcho Tchuido 16, San Juan 12, Sario 9, Torres 8, Arciga 8, Binaohan 7, Dalisay 5, Ahmed 4, Jimenez 2, Espinas 2, De La Paz 0, Camba 0, Villava-Cua 0
UP 51 - Maw 11, Larrosa 8, Sanchez 8, Bariquit 5, Pesquera 5, Tapawan 4, Jimenez 4, Domingo 2, Vingno 2, Lozada 2, Gonzales 0, Sauz 0, Rivera 0
Quarterscores: 19–8, 35–19, 57–38, 73–51
