The UP Fighting Maroons pulled off a surprise victory over last year’s bronze medalist Adamson Lady Falcons in their opening game of UAAP Season 88 women's basketball.
A slow start might have plagued their men’s team, but the UP Fighting Maroons got off to a perfect start in UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball as they conquered the Adamson Lady Falcons in a gutsy upset, 66-63, late Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Fueled by a strong start that got them leading by as much as 17 points, UP repulsed last season’s bronze medalists despite flaunting an All-Filipino lineup for the year.
Louna Ozar flexed her clutch gene with a dagger triple in the final minute that pushed UP’s lead to four, 63-59.
She also made two free throws with five ticks left to ice the game, 66-61, before Novie Ornopia made a basket to arrive at the final score.
After the match, the normally stoic UP head coach Paul Ramos shared his delight in getting such a big win to start the tournament, especially since they were unable to get a victory over Adamson in UAAP Season 87 — which proved crucial in missing the Final Four.
“Definitely, it’s a magnificent win for us. On a normal interview, I would be like a coach that would give some wisdom to share. Ako, not this season. It’s more about just being in the moment. I’m just happy that we got the win,” Ramos quipped.
“Seeing the third and fourth quarter, we didn’t play as much as we wanted to. I think the pressure got into it. But yeah, it’s really a happy moment. It’s an Adamson team. Definitely, sila talaga yung kalaban namin sa Final Four, naglalabananan kami sa spot na yan… Just happy for this win,” he continued.
Louna Ozar drilled a dagger triple for UP in their opening match against Adamson. | Photo: The UAAP
Ozar steps into bigger role
A two-time Mythical Team member, Louna Ozar has recognized the importance of not just being there for her team on offense, but also on the leadership end.
The Fil-French cager displayed her fighting spirit with the crucial triple. After the match, she said that she was motivated to take the triple, despite not needing to, in an attempt to push her teammates forward as one of the team’s leaders.
“I felt that I’m at my third year right now and I have to take that leadership moment. So yeah,” she said.
She finished with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. She also had six rebounds, and one assist.
Among those Ozar pushed forward was sophomore guard Camille Nolasco, who is looking for a positive season after being sidelined for most of her rookie year due to injury.
Camille Nolasco began her sophomore year with UP on a high, winning over the Adamson Lady Falcons. | Photo: The UAAP
After tallying 10 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal against Adamson, she expressed optimism for the rest of the year.
“Syempre, super excited. Especially, my first year, it didn’t go the way that I wanted it to be. So, super excited lang ako this season para makapagcontribute pa sa team,” she said.
UP will next take on UE on Sunday, September 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | UAAP Season 88 basketball guide, where to watch, highlights, more]
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.