The FEU Lady Tamaraws matched their win total from last year before the first round of UAAP Season 88 is even over, thanks to a strong bounce-back effort against UE.
Victoria Pasilang and one-and-done guard Shem Abatayo combined forces as Far Eastern University rolled past winless University of the East, 81-59, to return to its winning ways in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reeling from a lopsided 66-104 loss to perennial contenders University of Santo Tomas, Abatayo and Pasilang quickly regained their composure, helping the Lady Tamaraws solidify their hold on solo fourth place in the eight-team field with an even 3-3 win-loss record—already matching their entire win total from last year just six games into Season 88.
FEU will have a chance to surpass its Season 87 total if it defeats Ateneo in the final day of the first round on Wednesday.
Abatayo bounced back from a seven-point outing against UST with 20 points, built on five first-half triples, along with eight rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block. Pasilang broke out with 19 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting clip, adding nine rebounds and two assists.
“As we’ve said sa coaches, we keep telling them na we want to further surpass our standings from last year. We don’t just want to settle for less. Happy naman kami sa performance and everyone got a chance to play,” assistant coach Jasmine Yam said.
Malto represented the Lady Tamaraws in the postgame press conference as head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy quickly left the Big Dome to join Discovery-Rizal’s semifinal bout against San Juan in the 2025 Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Villar Coliseum in Las Piñas.
Ending the opening period with just a 23-15 advantage, Abatayo powered FEU’s strong start to the second quarter, scoring seven points—including two triples and a technical free throw—during a 10-0 run that extended the Lady Tamaraws’ lead to 33-15, a deficit too large for the Lady Warriors to overcome.
UE cut the lead to 43-31 by halftime, but Abatayo’s momentum carried over to her teammates.
EJ Lopez, Shane Salvani, and Max Dela Torre combined for a 15-6 third-quarter surge that restored a 58-37 cushion heading into the fourth quarter.
FEU effectively sealed its comeback victory with three inside hits by Pasilang, a midrange jumper by Abatayo, and a free throw from Dela Torre, which ballooned the Lady Tamaraws’ lead to 25 points at 68-43 with less than six minutes remaining.
Amyah Espanol was limited to 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting but contributed seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Dela Torre scored all eight of her points from the free-throw line, adding six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Salvani chipped in seven points and one rebound.
FEU’s triumph further compounded UE’s woes, leaving the Lady Warriors winless through six outings in Season 88 and extending their losing streak to 16 consecutive games dating back to Season 87.
Rachel Lacayanga struggled, scoring 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting with seven turnovers, but added six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Moana Vacalares registered 13 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in the losing effort.
The Scores:
FEU (81) – Abatayo 20, Pasilang 19, Espanol 11, Dela Torre 8, Salvani 7, Manguiat 4, Patio 3, Garavan 3, Lopez 3, Villanueva 2, Casais 1, Agcambot 0, Ong 0, Nagma 0.
UE (59) – Lacayanga 14, Vacalares 13, Ronquillo 10, Onate 5, Buscar 5, Lumibao 4, Yañez 3, Ramos 2, Gullim 2, Solomon 1, Delig 0, Trinidad 0, Gomez 0, Salise 0, Lituania 0, Dalguntas 0.
Quarterscores: 23-15, 43-31, 58-37, 81-59.