Sario releases daggers to subdue Adamson
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers subdued the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons to end the UAAP Season 85 Round 1 with their fifth victory, 75–65, yesterday at the Ynares Sports Antipolo.
With this victory, the Lady Archers now hold a 5–2 record, after breaking their three-game winning streak against the NU Lady Bulldogs (6–0) last October 19. Lee Sario was named Player of the Game, listing a double-double performance with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals.
The teams wrestled from the onset, with several lead changes early in the first quarter. However, the Lady Archers were able to escape the clutches of the Lady Falcons with a mere one-point advantage, 18–17.
AdU’s Rose Dampios struck back-to-back threes for Adamson in the second quarter, trimming the lead to four, 33–29, but La Salle Captain Joehanna Arciga was fouled in the fade away attempt less than two minutes remaining and knocked both freethrows, 38–29. The Green and White managed to triumphantly pull away from the talons of the Lady Falcons with the help of halftime leading scorers Lee Sario (11), Charmine Torres (9), and Joehanna Arciga (6). With ten seconds remaining, the Archers used a full court press to silence the Falcons and keep the score at 39–31.
With Fina Tchuido on the bench, the third quarter started out slow for the Archers. This was taken advantage of by Victoria Adeshina, the lethal weapon of the Falcons, who sprinted on open grounds and converted to score and close in on the Archers that trimmed the lead to a single possession front, 39–36. A Tchuido-Arciga-Sario sequence was just what the La Salle needed to pick up the pieces after a sluggish start in the third canto. The trio blazed the court, capping with a one dribble pull-up by Sario, 49–42. Angela Alaba then stepped up for the Lady Falcons only to be answered with another triple dagger by Sario to bring their advantage back to 11, 56–45.
Two minutes into the fourth, the Lady Falcons caught up and became a problem as they prevented the Taft-based team from dictating the ball game early in. Responding to the challenge, Torres drove the team even further, bringing the score to 72–63. Marga Jimenez converted three free throws that put the end to the match with a double digit advantage, 75–65.
Lady Archers’ Head Coach Cholo Villanueva explained how he sees the team’s Round 1 performance: “Yes, we’re 5–2 but if you look at our games, it’s not a very dominant 5–2,” said the coach in the post-game press conference.
“We just find ways to win. We just trust each other on what we’re going to do defensively.”
“We’re not a very talented team. We just outsmart and outwork our opponents to get a grind out win every time, which I think is good for us”, he further ended the conference on a humble but confident note.
Box scores:
La Salle 75 — Sario 26, Arciga 15, Torres 11, Tchuido 11, Jimenez 5, Dalisay 3, Ahmed 2, Espinas 2, De La Paz 0, Binaohan 0.
Adamson 65 — Adeshina 18, Dampios 16, Angela Alaba 12, Padilla 6, Angeline Alaba 4, Agojo 3, Flor 2, Etang 2, Meniano 2, Catulong 0, Tano 0, Carcallas 0, Ornopia 0, De la Cruz 0.
Quarter scores: 18–17, 39–31, 56–47, 75–65
