Lady Archers fall behind UST for first loss
The DLSU Lady Archers (1–1) experienced their first defeat of the season as they fell short against the UST Growling Tigresses (2–0), 57–71, earlier today at the UST Quadricentennial Pavillion.
The first quarter had a slow start for both teams, with missed shots turning into turnovers, until Eka Soriano went on a 5–0 run to start the Lady Tigresses’ momentum. To add more pressure, Soriano converted another trey for the Lady Tigresses. No arrows have made it to the bullseye yet for the Lady Archers until team captain Joehanna Arciga made the first point for the Lady Archers with a layup, to which Brigette Santos responded with a shot of her own, 2–10. After a slow start to the first quarter, Arciga and Fina Niantcho put together a 4–0 run to cut the deficit to four, 6–10. Sario made a late but crucial trey to bring the score to 9–12, but Soriano was unstoppable, responding three of her own to keep the Archers at bay, 9–15. Lady Tigress Agatha Bron slipped past La Salle for an easy easy, further extending their lead, 9–23, with a fadeaway and a free throw. An untimely turnover by the Lady Archers with three seconds remaining handed the Lady Tigresses the first quarter, 11–23.
Bea Dalisay attempted a three-point shot to start the second quarter. Unfortunately, the Lady Archers couldn’t get the momentum going, giving way to Tacky Tacatac and Santos to lead a 7–0 run for the Lady Tigresses, bringing the score to 11–30 before the first timeout of the quarter, at 07:20. Meanwhile, the Taft-based squad trailed UST in free throw accuracy, 57.1% as compared to 66.7%. The Lady Tigresses defended well, preventing the Lady Archers from attempting any layups. Several turnovers occurred in the second quarter, particularly on the Lady Archers’ side. To add salt to the wound, the DLSU shotclock violations kept them from closing the gap, 20–38. Lady Archer Jeehan Ahmed made the final second-quarter call, 27–40.
During the third quarter, both teams caught fire, with Fina Niantcho leading the Lady Archers with rebounds and a free throw, 34–41. Lee Sario and Soriano kept the suspense alive with a fiery steal sequence at 07:30 on the clock, until the latter converted the steal to bring the scores inverted, 34–43. However, the Lady Archers did not give that easily as Charmine Torres and Sario closed the gap to three, 40–43 with back-to-back treys. Torres attempted a floater in hopes of tying the game, but it failed despite a corresponding rebound by Ahmed, resulting in another turnover. Torres redeemed herself with successful free throws, bringing the score to 43–49. However, another missed opportunity to cut the opponent’s lead by the opponent ended the quarter at 43–52 due to a miscommunication.
Lady Tigress Nikki Villasin steals and converts back-to-back treys started the fourth quarter, 43–56, and erased any La Salle momentum built. Layups, floaters, free throws, and treys were falling from both baskets. The Lady Archers were unable to convert rebounds in the fourth quarter, as the Lady Tigresses became even more aggressive. Torres and Bettina Binaohan shot their final arrows with a floater and free throws with a minute left, 57–69. Meanwhile, Soriano’s free throws helped the Lady Tigresses notch the game, 57–71.
The DLSU Lady Archers are looking forward to go back to their winning ways as they take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles (1–0) this Sunday, October 9, 10AM, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Box scores:
DLSU 57 — Torres 12, Niantcho 12, Arciga 11, Sario 10, Ahmed 6, Jimenez 2, De La Paz 2, Binaohan 2, San Juan 0, Dalisay 0, Espinas 0
UST 71 — Soriano 28, Villasin 13, Bron 8, Santos 6, Tacatac 5, Pangilinan 4, Ambos 3, Villapando 2, Dionisio 2
Quarter scores: 11–23, 27–40, 43–52, 57–71
