UP back on track in UAAP women’s basketball, NU wins 6 straight

MANILA, Philippines —University of the Philippines rediscovered its winning ways with a 57-45 win over Adamson in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Adamson Gym.

No Fighting Maroon scored in double-figures but it was a collective effort for Kaye Pesquera, Favour Onoh, Rizza Lozada, and Rhea Sanchez, who scored eight points each.

Sophomore guard Pesquera had five assists, four rebounds, and three steals, while Onoh grabbed 14 rebounds as UP rose to a 7-2 record rom back-to-back losses to Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas. 

“We’re happy about the win,” said UP coach Paul Ramos. “We’re trying to get momentum going and we’re going back to trying to achieve our process goals.

“I feel that the two games that we lost, we did not achieve the game goals that we wanted that’s why we lost,” he added. 

Victoria Adeshina carried the Lady Falcons with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals only to absorb their third straight loss, dropping to a 2-7 record.

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Camille Clarin. –UAAP PHOTO

Meanwhile, seven-time champion National University earned its sixth straight win and kept the solo lead after dominating Far Eastern University, 76-55.

Camille Clarin and Karl Pingol led NU, which improved 8-1,  with 12 points each as the former tallied five assists, four steals, and three rebounds. Pingol had seven rebounds and three steals.

Aloja Betanio had 11 points for the Lady Bulldogs, while Angel Surada chipped in nine points, 14 rebounds, six steals, two assists, and two blocks.

“I have to give credit to our team for really defending them on the backcourt. We forced them to (make) tons of turnovers and we scored the same number of points off of those turnovers. I hope this one gives us the momentum for our next game after the break,” said NU coach Aris Dimaunahan.

Josee Kaputu was the lone bright spot for the Lady Tamaraws with 19 points and 21 rebounds as they slid to a 3-6 card.