Shane Cunanan and the UP Fighting Maroons go 2-0 in UAAP Season 88 after a tough overtime decision against UE.
Shane Cunanan emerged as the hero in overtime as UP fended off a resilient UE side, 84-75, for its second straight win in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
After a frustrating 5-9 campaign that shut them out of Final Four contention in Season 87, the Fighting Maroons have bounced back with a flawless 2-0 start — exactly the kind of resurgence they needed in a highly competitive UAAP women’s basketball field.
Behind the clutch heroics of Alex Mendoza, the steady emergence of Gilas Women guard Louna Ozar, and a career outing from Camille Nolasco, UP asserted its mastery over UE, notching its eighth straight win against the Ian Valdez-mentored squad since a 68-66 second-round victory in Season 82 on October 12, 2019.
“They fought very well, and it shows that this season is all about respect talaga. You cannot disrespect any other team. Not taking away the great game from UE, but I feel we also had a lot of lapses on our end. I’m just really happy that we came out as the winner of the game,” said UP head coach Paul Ramos.
Nolasco powered UP with a career-best 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, along with seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Ozar orchestrated the offense with a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists, plus four rebounds, three steals, and a block.
Mendoza chipped in 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Achrissa Maw contributed across the board with five points, seven rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and two steals.
The gritty overtime triumph now sets up a big test for the Fighting Maroons as they take on defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, September 4, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
On the other side, despite the gallant efforts of Rachel Lacayanga, Moana Vacalares, and Ronquillo, UE faltered in the extra period, scoring only one point.
Lacayanga led UE with a monster double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds, while also adding two steals and one assist.
Ronquillo added 16 points, but both she and Lacayanga fouled out in overtime, which proved costly.
The Scores:
UP (84) – Nolasco 21, Cunanan 15, Ozar 14, Mendoza 11, Vingno 6, Maw 5, Barba 5, Evangelista 4, Mejasco 2, Castro 1, Solitario 0, Tapawan 0, Santos 0, Pascua 0, Pesquera 0.
UE (75) – Lacayanga 18, Ronquillo 16, Vacalares 12, Buscar 11, Yañez 11, Guillim 2, Dalguntas 2, Ramos 2, Onate 1, Gomez 0, Lituania 0, Lumibao 0, Delig 0.
Quarterscores: 19-14, 39-33, 47-55, 74-74, 84-75