The languishing UE women’s basketball program breaks a streak of futility dating back to UAAP Season 82 in 2019, while UP nails its second Season 87 win against gritty FEU
MANILA, Philippines – After five long years, the UE Lady Warriors ended a miserable 40-game streak of futility in UAAP women’s basketball after a euphoric 65-47 blowout stunner of the La Salle Lady Archers in the continuation of Season 87 at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, September 22.
Jearzy Ganabe led the historic breakthrough with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, albeit with 9 turnovers, as the Lady Warriors rushed the court in celebration at the final buzzer.
Rachel Lacayanga also churned out 13 points, 10 boards, 2 steals, 1 dime, and 1 block as UE rose to a 1-3 record.
To put in perspective how long the skid has been, every single player who rushed the hardwood was not even part of the program when the Lady Warriors last won against UP in September 21, 2019, five years and one day ago.
“We finally won. That’s what’s great with this rookie team, all my players are really new, so that’s our only goal, to bring back our UE culture,” longtime head coach Ai Lebornio said in Filipino.
“Since the first day I coached here in 2013, I think that’s what has been lost.”
Luisa San Juan paced the loss with 14 points and 5 rebounds as La Salle stayed winless at 0-4.
Meanwhile, the UP Fighting Maroons escaped the gutsy FEU Lady Tamaraws, 82-77, to rise to a 2-2 record.
Achrissa Maw excelled in the nail-biter with a stellar line of 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, while Gilas Women standout Louna Ozar chipped in a 17-point, 11-board double-double with 4 dimes, 3 swipes, and a block.
Shane Salvani went toe-to-toe with the Maroons with a game-high 28 points as FEU fell to a 1-3 slate.
The Scores
First Game
UP 82 – Maw 25, Ozar 17, Bariquit 13, Solitario 8, Pesquera 6, Mendoza 3, Lozada 3, Barba 3, Tapawan 2, Nolasco 1, Vingno 1, Jimenez 0, Sauz 0, Quinquinio 0.
FEU 77 – Salvani 28, Dela Torre 11, Manguiat 11, Lopez 9, Pasilang 6, Libor 5, Villanueva 5, Nangma 2, Paras 0, Gavaran 0, Ong 0.
Quarters: 29-24, 41-48, 64-66, 82-77.
Second Game
UE 65 – Ganade 15, Lacayanga 13, Ronquillo 11, Vacalares 9, Ruiz 9, Yanez 5, Kone 3, Dalguntas 0, Buscar 0, Cruz 0, Lumibao 0.
La Salle 47 – San Juan 14, Mendoza 10, Camba 4, Sario 4, Sunga 4, Rodriguez 3, Santos 2, Dela Paz 2, Paraiso 2, Delos Reyes 2, Villava-Cua 0, Catalan 0, Bacierto 0.
Quarters: 21-18, 37-26, 49-32, 65-47.
– Rappler.com
