University of the Philippines’ 15-year Final Four drought in UAAP Women’s Basketball is over.
For the first time since Season 71, the Fighting Maroons secured a ticket to the postseason after stomping the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 70-55, in the third game of Wednesday’s Season 86 quadruple-header at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
UP rose to 9-2, maintaining its second-place position, while holding a one-and-a-half-game lead over the third-running University of Santo Tomas, which is currently playing against the University of the East, as of the time of this publication.
“Process goal lang talaga namin this year (‘yung makapasok ng Final Four). My happiness is short-lived kasi after today, we’re already targeting our next game,” said Fighting Maroons’ head coach Paul Ramos.
“I feel that with the belief of all the players and the community, we’re really going to try to get the most out of this season, and I feel we will be underperforming if we’re only aiming for the Final Four,” he continued.
The Fighting Maroons established a substantial advantage heading into the final period after a third quarter that turned their 34-25 halftime lead into an even bigger 55-38 cushion.
Kaye Pesquera led UP’s balanced attack with 17 points, along with seven rebounds and three steals, while the trio of Christie Bariquit, Achrissa Maw, and Rizza Lozada each contributed 11 points in the win.
Louna Ozar and Justine Domingo both produced seven points, with the rookie also dishing out six assists.
On the other hand, FEU suffered its third straight loss, slipping to 3-8 and falling out of contention for the Final Four.
Congolese sweet-shooting big Josee Kaputu led the Lady Tamaraws with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
With FEU’s defeat combined with De La Salle University’s loss to National University earlier, Ateneo de Manila University has secured at least a playoff spot for a Final Four berth.
UP will return to action on Saturday against La Salle, while FEU will play on Sunday against Ateneo. Both games will be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Games Saturday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. – UP vs DLSU (Women)
11 a.m. – NU vs UE (Women)
2 p.m. – UP vs FEU (Men)
4 p.m. – NU vs UST (Men)