THE UST Tigresses bowed down against UAAP defending champions Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 61-68, at the Philippine Buddhacare Gym last Nov. 26, dropping their third consecutive game in the women’s division of the Filipino-Chinese Basketball League (FCBL).
Guard Lore Rivera chalked up 26 points for the Tigresses, who missed the services of ace player Juvelyn Andaya due to a sprain injury. Maika Cortes was limited to only eight points and eight boards, a far cry from her 21-point explosion against Adamson University last November 19.
Rivera exploded for 10 points in the second half, sparking a 14-1 run that gave UST a two-point lead, 48-46. But the Lady Tamaraws showed championship poise in the end game with Karen Columna nailing a shot to give FEU a 66-58 lead with 56 seconds left.
With the loss, the Tigresses joined Ateneo de Manila University at the bottom of the team standings with identical 0-3 win-loss cards.
“We did not play a lot of defense. We only concentrated on one-on-one defensive play since [and] we were not able to tackle pick-and-roll defense in practices,” coach Chris Cantonjos said.
One-point loss
In another off-season tournament, the Tigresses also dropped their opening game against the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB), 65-66, in the Martin Cup at the Trinity University Gym last Nov. 21.
Cortes and Joy Galicia topscored for UST with 16 and eight points, respectively.
The Tigresses went on a 9-0 scoring tear toward the end of the first half to lead CSB, 34-26.
Lady Blazer Jenny Mayol made six straight points, including two free throws, to cut the lead to one, 57-56, late in the final quarter. CSB then connected on a triple to take the lead, 57-61, with less than two minutes left in the game.Chenny V. Ramos
