FEU stays in Final Four hunt, downs UE

FEU’s MJ Manguiat during a game against UE in UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University edged also-ran University of the East 57-51 victory to keep its Final Four chances alive in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Sunday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Lady Tamaraws blew a 47-36 advantage heading into the fourth quarter as the Lady Warriors leaned on Kamba Kone and Jearzy Ganade to cut it down to just two at 49-47 in the final two minutes.

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MJ Manguiat restored the order as she conspired with Erica Lopez and Maria Paras to stave off UE and improve FEU’s record to 3-7 tied with fifth placer UP.

READ: UAAP: FEU stops Adamson streak in women’s basketball

FINAL: FEU (3-7) outlasts UE (1-10), 57-51, in the #UAAPSeason87 women’s basketball. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/36n9fzH8l8

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 3, 2024

Manguiat led the Lady Tams with 22 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist. Lopez tallied eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while Shane Salvani was limited to seven points on 22.2 percent shooting but grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, five assists, and one block.

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“Sabi ko naman sa kanila, whoever is willing to fight for the team, ‘yun yung gagamitin natin and ‘yun yung maglalaro inside the court. Itong mga crucial moments na ito, ito yung mga kailangan namin na may nagsstep up talaga,” FEU coach Raiza Palmera-Dy said.

READ: UAAP: UST rebounds, Ateneo beats FEU in women’s basketball

“To be honest, grateful kami na nanalo kami but I’m not happy with the performance of our team because record namin ito this season, 31 turnovers. They maximized our turnovers, but a win is a win, we will move on to our next game which is La Salle. We have to address our turnovers.” 

FEU is eager to bounce back from a first-round loss to La Salle on Wednesday next week at Mall of Asia Arena. The latter won their first duel with Luisa San Juan tying the league record of 10 triples.

UE lost its 10th game in 11 matches with Rachel Lacayanga leading the way with 15 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist. Kone had 12 points, nine rebounds, and one steal, while Ganade added 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and five steals.

The Scores:

FEU (57) – Manguiat 22, Lopez 8, Salvani 7, Dela Torre 6, Nagma 5, Villanueva 4, Paras 4, Pasilang 1, Ong 0.

UE (49) – Lacayanga 15, Kone 12, Ganade 10, Ronquillo 7, Vacalares 5, Cruz 2, Buscar 0, Yanez 0, Dalguntas 0, Lumibao 0.

Quarterscores: 15-18, 31-29, 47-36, 57-51