Basketball
FEU wins in UAAP women’s hoops
FAR Eastern University flexed just enough muscles to nip De La Salle, 59-53, in overtime on Sunday to keep its hold of No. 1 in the UAAP Season 74 women’s basketball tournament.
Its 11-2 won-lost record, however, remains in the radar of University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Allana Lim had a double-double 20-point, 11-rebound for the Lady Tamaraws, who continue to feel the heat from the Tigresses.
UST, behind Juvelyn Andaya’s 21 points and Mary Joy Galicia’s 12 rebounds, scored a 72-63 win over University of the East (UE) at the Blue Eagle gym over the weekend. And with a second-placed 10-3 card, they could steal the top spot if they beat FEU in their final elimination game on September 11.
A Tigresses victory would secure them a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. A loss, on the other hand, would give De La Salle and Adamson University, each with 9-4 records, shots at No. 2 for that semifinal incentive.
With Snow Penaranda scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, defending champion Adamson University ripped National University (NU), 78-60, not only to fan its bid for No. 2, but also shove Ateneo from the Final Four picture.
Despite beating University of the Philippines (UP), 53-43, on Sarah Mercado’s 16 points and nine rebounds also over the weekend, Ateneo has a 7-6 record that is not enough to give the Lady Eagles a ticker to the next round.
Complications could occur if De La Salle and Adamson University also prevail next Sunday. A Lady Archers win over the Lady Bulldogs and a Lady Falcons victory over the Lady Eagles and a loss by the Tigresses would result to a triple-tie for second among UST, De La Salle and Adamson at 10-4, thus the need for playoffs.
Standings: FEU 11-2, UST 10-3, De La Salle 9-4, Adamson 9-4, Ateneo 7-6, NU 4-9, UP 2-11, UE 0-13.
