Lopez delivers triumph for FEU

c/o UAAP

Games today at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum

8 a.m. – AdU vs NUNS (JHS)

10 a.m. – NU vs Ateneo (Women)

12 noon – UST vs UP (Women)

4 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo (Men)

6 p.m. – UST vs UP (Men)

EJ Lopez took matters into her own hands in the fourth period, leading Far Eastern University to a 67-64 stunner over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Saturday. 

Lopez delivered four three-pointers in the payoff period including the go-ahead shot from the top of the key with 1:02 left for a 65-64 Lady Tamaraws lead. 

“Grabe lang po ‘yung kumpyansa na binibigay sa amin ni coach Raiza na kapag open, itira mo nang buong puso, nang walang duda,” said third-year guard Lopez on her outburst of 17 points, including 12 in the fourth frame on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from deep. 

Victoria Adeshina had a golden chance for the Lady Falcons on a fastbreak with 16 seconds left but she flunked her wide-open layup. 

Shane Salvani added much-needed insurance points for FEU with two made free throws with 11.5 seconds to go while Kim Mazo failed to handle the pass of Elaine Etang in the next possession for Adamson. 

Joann Nagma had a chance to ice the game from the line with 4.1 seconds left but she missed both. She quickly atoned for it though with a steal that gave the Lady Tamaraws a 2-6 record, ending a four-game losing skid. 

“I’m not surprised na ganito ang nilaro namin. I’ve seen them play every day, six times a week, and naniniwala ako na kaya nila. Like I’ve mentioned in the first round, kailangan lang namin mag sabay sabay na merong magandang nilalaro,” said FEU's first-year head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy. 

Yvette Villanueva also shone brightly for the Lady Tamaraws with 13 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks, while Salvani, MJ Manguiat, and Rea Ong all chipped in eight points apiece. 

Adamson dropped to 5-3, still at third but just half a game above fourth-running Ateneo de Manila University at 4-3. 

Elaine Etang paced the Lady Falcons with 16 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Cheska Apag added 14 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. 

Nigerian center Adeshina was held to seven points and eight rebounds against the all-Filipino crew of Lady Tamaraws, who lost Congolese big Josee Kaputu early in the season due to a torn ACL. 

Both teams will be back next weekend at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. 

Adamson will play on Oct. 19, 6 p.m.,  against De La Salle University while FEU will be back on Oct. 20, 10 a.m., against University of the East. 

The Scores:

FEU 67 – Lopez 17, Villanueva 13, Salvani 8, Manguiat 8, Ong 8, Dela Torre 5, Nagma 4, Paras 2, Pasilang 2.

AdU 64 – Etang 16, Apag 14, Mazo 9, Padilla 7, Adeshina 7, Meniano 5, E. Alaba 2, Ornopia 2, Agojo 2, A. Alaba 0, Bajo 0, Limbago 0.

Quarterscores: 17-16, 36-33, 47-49, 67-64