University of the Philippines notched its second straight win at the expense of Far Eastern University, 73-56, in the UAAP Season 85 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Saturday.
The Fighting Maroons came back from 16 points down in the third quarter, taking advantage of the Lady Tamaraws losing senior Camille Taguiam early in the period with a 24-3 blast, 50-45.
UP then ran away with the game in the fourth to complete a 33-point turnaround, giving the team its first win streak since Season 78 and first win against FEU since 2016.
“As I’ve said to our team, it’s not the win that we’re trying to get here in our season, it’s really the culture of winning kasi it’s been a while that we were in the win record,” said UP coach Paul Ramos.
Rookie Kaye Pesquera punched in 20 of her 22 points in the second half to lead the Fighting Maroons.
Fellow newcomer Rizza Lozada added 11 points and six rebounds, while Justine Domingo chimed in eight points, seven rebounds, and five steals.
UP hiked its record to 2-1 for solo third, while FEU slid to 1-2, tied with Adamson University for sixth.
Kyla Go had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort while Shane Cunanan got 10 points and nine rebounds.
Up next for the Fighting Maroons will be six-time defending champion National University on Wednesday, 3 pm, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Lady Tamaraws will try to get back on track against the Lady Falcons.
