DLSU triumphs in UAAP season opener

c/o UAAP

De La Salle University kicked off its return to women's basketball with a 73-51 victory over the University of the Philippines on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Archers started off strong with a 19-8 first quarter, eventually establishing a 35-19 halftime lead.

The Cholo Villanueva-mentored squad managed to extend its lead to 25 during the third, but the Fighting Maroons chopped the deficit back down to 57-38 after a 9-3 finish in a bid to establish momentum.

However, DLSU responded with a 16-3 blast to break the game open at 73-41 with less than four minutes left in the match.

Villanueva shared with the media after the game, "It's a good start for us. We just wanted to execute properly during our first game. Good thing the girls responded well."

Fina Niantcho led DLSU with a double-double, contributing sixteen points, twelve rebounds, and three steals. Twelve of those points came in the first half. Lee Sario was close to netting her own double-double with nine markers and eight boards.

Luisa San Juan added twelve points for the Lady Archers, with ten of them coming in the second half.

Acrissa Maw was the lone player in double figures for UP with eleven points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.

DLSU will look to get a leg up in the tournament against fellow opening day winners UST on Wednesday at 9am, whilst UP and Adamson tangle at 3pm.

The Scores:

DLSU 73 - Niantcho 17, 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, Baqiruit 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.