Far Eastern University overcame De La Salle University’s Kyla Go, who erupted for 32 points, to escape with a 64-62 victory and claim solo fourth place in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Limited to just 16 points on 5-of-33 shooting in the final two quarters, Yvette Villanueva, Amyah Espanol, and Max Dela Torre delivered crucial baskets down the stretch, spoiling the Lady Archers’ second-half surge.
The win ended the Lady Tamaraws’ three-game slide and improved their record to 5-7 with two elimination round games remaining.
The victory also gave FEU some breathing room in fourth place, holding a half-game cushion over joint fifth-placers La Salle and Adamson University (4-7), while further distancing itself from sixth-placed University of the Philippines (3-8).
As of posting time, the Fighting Maroons and Lady Falcons were set to close the day’s six-game slate, a matchup with major implications for the Final Four race.
“Yung start namin talaga yung very crucial. Every time na meron kaming slow start, most probably, hindi nagiging maganda yung resulta. That happened the last three games. Now, ‘yon yung nagging difference sa amin na we had a strong first and second quarters,” FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy said.
Eager to atone for a 32-48 halftime deficit, Go powered La Salle’s commanding third-quarter performance, scoring 15 of the Lady Archers’ 20 points while limiting FEU to nine, cutting the deficit to five, 57-52, heading into the payoff period.
In a defensive showdown in the fourth quarter, FEU leaned on an inside hit by Villanueva and key free throws from Espanol and Dela Torre to maintain a six-point, 62-56 lead.
Beyond the timely baskets, FEU capitalized on Go’s exit at the 5:28 mark of the fourth, as La Salle’s offense stalled.
Anastacio and Mendoza missed three of four free throws in the final 51.3 seconds, allowing the Lady Tamaraws to preserve a 64-60 advantage.
The door briefly opened for La Salle when Anastacio made two free throws in the last 25.4 seconds and Tricia Mendoza recorded a crucial steal on Villanueva.
But Anastacio missed a potential game-winning triple, sealing FEU’s 64-62 victory and the Lady Tamaraws’ fifth win of the season.
Villanueva finished with a near double-double of 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, nine rebounds, two blocks, and one steal, while Salvani added 12 points, four assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
Victoria Pasilang contributed 11 points and eight rebounds, and Shem Abatayo, despite shooting just 2-of-11, tallied six rebounds and five assists.
FEU will look to strengthen its Final Four bid against winless University of the East on Saturday, November 22, again at the Big Dome.
Go led La Salle with 32 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and one assist, while Mica Camba added 11 points, four assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
Mendoza chipped in five points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals, and Anastacio went scoreless from the field on five attempts but made five free throws to finish with five points and two rebounds.
The Lady Archers will face another crucial test against Adamson on Wednesday, November 19, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Scores:
FEU (64) – Villanueva 18, Salvani 12, Pasilang 11, Abatayo 6, Dela Torre 6, Espanol 4, Ong 4, Lopez 3, Manguiat 0, Nagma 0.
DLSU (62) – Go 32, Camba 11, Mendoza 5, Anastacio 5, A. Dizon 4, Delos Reyes 3, Dela Paz 2, Sunga 0, Lubrico 0, S. Dizon 0, Villarin 0.
Quarterscores: 24-13, 48-32, 57-52, 64-62