Far Eastern University averted a 20-point collapse to stave off the University of the Philippines’ late rally, taking a bounce-back 79-75 win and keeping hold of solo fourth in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Eager to bounce back from a 77-84 loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles last Wednesday, the Lady Tamaraws leaned on the duo of Gilas Pilipinas Women’s forward Yvette Villanueva and MJ Manguiat to ignite a blistering 24-4 second-quarter run that set the tone early and ultimately subdued the Fighting Maroons’ second-half surge.
UP, which has now dropped six straight games after starting the season at 2-0, once again fell short of a comeback despite a valiant effort in the final period.
With the win, FEU solidified its hold on solo fourth place in the eight-team field with an even 4-4 record—creating a one-game cushion over joint-fifth placers De La Salle University and Adamson University, both at 3-5.
“I think yung sinasabi ko nga kanina during our huddle na we are seeking to have that consistency this second round. Kaya we were hoping to get this win and we get the momentum coming from this win,” said Lady Tamaraws head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy.
FEU built an 18-point advantage, 47-29, in the third quarter, but UP refused to back down.
Marielle Vingno, Shane Cunanan, and Camille Nolasco spearheaded the comeback, trimming the deficit to seven, 61-54, entering the payoff period.
The Fighting Maroons stayed within striking distance as Shanna Tapawan and Achrissa Maw scored three consecutive layups, while Nolasco’s midrange jumper brought UP within two, 73-71, with 4:01 left to play—setting the stage for a potential upset and an end to their six-game skid.
However, after a series of missed three-point attempts, the Lady Tamaraws regained control.
Two free throws from Villanueva and a timely putback from Amyah Espanol rebuilt a six-point cushion, 77-71, with 2:02 remaining.
Maw’s long jumper and a Nolasco layup trimmed the deficit again to 77-75 with 1:15 left, but UP failed to capitalize on key chances down the stretch.
Season 87 Mythical Five member Louna Ozar missed a close-range attempt that could have tied the game, while Nolasco misfired on a right-corner triple that would have given UP the lead with under 20 seconds to go.
Shem Abatayo then calmly sank two free throws in the closing seconds to seal the victory and FEU’s fourth win of the season.
Villanueva led the Lady Tamaraws with 23 points—15 of which came in the first half—along with eight rebounds, three steals, and one block.
Manguiat added nine points, six assists, and four rebounds, while Maxine Dela Torre contributed eight points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Shane Salvani and Pasilang also chipped in eight points apiece in the win.
Nolasco paced UP with 17 points, six assists, three steals, and one rebound.
Maw added 13 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Vingno tallied 12 points and three rebounds. Ozar flirted with a triple-double, finishing with eight points, 10 assists, nine rebounds, and four steals.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday morning at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Lady Tamaraws will look to exact revenge against the Blue Eagles in the day’s opening game at 8 a.m., while the Fighting Maroons aim to finally break through when they face the defending champions, the National University Lady Bulldogs, at 10 a.m.
The Scores:
FEU (79) - Villanueva 23, Manguiat 9, Dela Torre 8, Salvani 8, Pasilang 8, Abatayo 7, Patio 5, Nagma 4, Espanol 4, Lopez 3.
UP (75) - Nolasco 17, Maw 13, Vingno 12, Ozar 8, Tapawan 8, Cunanan 8, Mendoza 6, Solitario 3, Santos 0, Castro 0, Barba 0, Evangelista 0.
Quarterscores: 17-25, 41-29, 61-54, 79-75.