UAAP: UP, Ateneo sustain surge in women’s basketball

MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines and Ateneo continued their success after eliminating separate foes in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

UP held off University of Santo Tomas 73-69 in overtime to remain undefeated in five games – the school’s best start since the ’71 season.

Louna Ozar tied the match at 63 with 45.3 seconds remaining in the final period forcing extra time.

The Fighting Maroons overcame a three-point deficit to start overtime when Christie Bariquit joined forces with Marielle Vingno and Kaye Pesquera to score six straight points for a 69-66 lead with 2:20 remaining before Ozar and Favor Onoh put the finishing touches to remain undefeated.

Pesquera led the way for the Fighting Maroons with 17 points, including four three-pointers. Ozar had 16 points and four steals. Bariquit scored fifteen points and seven rebounds Nigerian center Onoh added nine points, 17 rebounds and five blocks.

“I’m glad we won a close game because that’s an aspect we can get better at. It is a team effort and we hope to keep it that way,” said UP coach Paul Ramos.

UP’s favor Onoh.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

UST slid to a 3-2 record. Kent Pastrana led the Growling Tigresses with 19 points. Tantoy Ferrer had 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and five steals, while Brigette Santos added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Meanwhile, Kacey Dela Rosa delivered 20 points, 11 rebounds and three steals to lead Ateneo to its fourth straight victory after beating Far Eastern University 72-64.

The Blue Eagles also benefited from Sarah Makanjuola’s double-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Junize Calago had 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Jhaz Joson added 10 points and seven assists with no turnovers.

“It was a very important match for us because FEU was close to us in the standings. We wanted to take one step to reach the Final Four, so this is a big win for us,” said Ateneo coach LA Mumar as his second-place team rose to a 4-1 record.

FEU fell to a 2-3 record as Josee Kaputu’s monster game of 26 points and 20 rebounds came to nothing. Jaina Del Prado and Queenie Aquino each had nine points.