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La Salle guard Luisa San Juan may have made UAAP history, but the 22-year-old sharpshooter sees her feat as a ‘big accomplishment’ not just for herself but for women’s basketball
MANILA, Philippines – Few have been blessed with marksmanship in a sport where shooting is paramount. La Salle Lady Archer Luisa San Juan has proven to be one of them.
San Juan pumped in 10 threes in La Salle’s 89-65 beatdown of the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, September 25, to set a new UAAP women’s basketball record, while also tying the league’s best three-point mark in a single game set by UE’s Allan Caidic in 1985 and replicated by NU’s Jeff Napa in 2002.
“I don’t know the records but I’m grateful. I’m not expecting that, I just do my role,” the laidback San Juan said. “I was just shooting my shot when there was a chance.”
For San Juan, her feat was more than just about herself. Rather, it highlighted the rising game quality in women’s basketball in the country.
“It feels great because I got to showcase that us, women, have the same capabilities as men when it comes to basketball,” said the Filipino-Spanish, who grew up in England before heading to Manila to play for La Salle in 2022.
“It’s definitely a big accomplishment, not just for me but for women’s basketball. This just proves how capable we women are in this sport.”
San Juan first saw action in the UAAP in Season 85, but fractured her right pinky in the opener and sat out the rest of the season.
La Salle made history that year by snapping the NU Lady Bulldogs’ vaunted 108-game win streak, but eventually fell to the same team in the finals.
The injury, however, did not hurt San Juan’s shooting touch as she slowly worked her way into one of the team’s cornerstones.
As La Salle coach Cholo Villanueva attested, the 22-year-old sniper has made sure to polish her shots.
“She has been working hard in practice. Pushing herself defensively, and putting in the work on her shots,” said Villanueva.
“This girl does not lack confidence. Every time she has the ball, she tries to score that basketball.”
San Juan also eclipsed fellow Lady Archer Khate Castillo’s mark of eight made threes in 2017, keeping the record with La Salle, with the Gilas Women guard even congratulating her.
The rising La Salle star finished with 34 points on 12-of-26 shooting from the field on top of 6 rebounds in that historic game, leading the Lady Archers to their first win in Season 87.
“I just wanted to help the team in any way that I can,” said San Juan as La Salle improved to 1-4. “It’s bittersweet because we finally got our first win, but at the same time, it was just [our] first.”
While shooting has always been her forte, the La Salle guard wants to put an emphasis on consistency as she aims to prove herself once more.
“It actually inspires and pushes me to be more consistent,” said San Juan. “I want to be able to contribute to the team as much as I can.” – with reports from Philip Matel/Rappler.com
