UP staves off Adamson comeback in opener

c/o UAAP

Games on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
8 a.m. – NU vs FEU (16U)
10 a.m. – UST vs DLSU (16U)
12 noon – NU vs FEU (Women)
2 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Men)
7 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Women)

University of the Philippines spoiled Jed Colonia’s coaching debut, outlasting Adamson University, 66-63, to open its UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Basketball campaign on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Lady Falcons, who trailed by as much as 17 points in the first half, fought back to tie the game at 59 on a Kim Limbago putback off her own miss with 4:37 remaining.

However, Camille Nolasco gave the Fighting Maroons the lead with a split from the free-throw line before Louna Ozar drilled a high-arching three-pointer to put UP up 63-59 with 58.7 seconds left.

Adamson could not capitalize in the next two possessions, both ending in turnovers.

“It’s nice that we were resilient and we were able to bounce back from the runs that Adamson showed. Kudos to them because this Adamson team, remember, they are a Final Four team last year so they won’t back down on a 17-point deficit,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Paul Ramos.

"I’m really proud of everybody in our staff and players because we stuck together," he added.

With UP ahead 64-59, Cheska Apag launched a three for Adamson but missed; fortunately, Cris Padilla grabbed the putback to make it 64-61 with 13.4 seconds left.

Ozar was tested on the free-throw line on the next possession, missing both attempts, but quickly stripped Angela Alaba of the ball and redeemed herself by sinking two free throws with eight seconds remaining to seal the win.

Ozar led UP’s hard-fought, wire-to-wire victory with 13 points and six rebounds but also committed eight turnovers.

Nolasco added 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Marielle Vingno and Achrissa Maw contributed eight points each.

UP will face University of the East next Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while Adamson prepares for a rematch with last season’s stepladder semifinals opponent, Ateneo de Manila University, on the same day.

Elaine Etang led the Lady Falcons with a game-high 17 points, six rebounds, and four steals.

Limbago added nine points, and Angela Alaba scored eight, but Nigerian center Kem Adeshina was limited to just two points on 1-of-6 shooting from the field.

The Scores:

UP (66) - Ozar 13, Nolasco 10, Vingno 8, Maw 8, Cunanan 7, Tapawan 5, Mendoza 4, Mejasco 4, Castro 3, Solitario 2, Barba 2, Evangelista 0, Pesquera 0.

AdU (63) - Etang 17, Limbago 9, A. Alaba 8, Ornopia 7, Padilla 7, E. Alaba 5, APag 4, Adeshina 2, Meniano 2, Agojo 2, Mazo 0, Carcallas 0, Bajo 0, Manlimos 0.

Quarterscores: 19-12, 44-31, 55-47, 66-63.